Elemmire woke with a start in the dead of night, senses alert for...something. Something wasn't as it should be, and her heart told her to move, and fast. Silently she dropped from the tree, mounted her horse, and slipped cautiously away, staying concealed as much as possible. The stars were faint, and darkness blanketed the earth in an uneasy night. Wind sighed through the forest eaves, seeming to whisper words just out of hearing.

A twig snapped behind them, and her horse whirled in a panic, having caught Elemmire's nervousness. Nothing. Or was there movement over... no. Just wind and shadows. Just wind and... the horse stumbled as shapes hurtled at its feet. Elemmire tried to draw her sword in time, but was dragged to the ground by hundreds of hands with vice-like grips. She cried out and kicked viciously, hitting orcs and freeing one hand to draw a knife. With a yell the orcs grabbed her arm, preventing her from hurting more than a few. Then the knife was taken, she felt a cruel blow to the head, and complete darkness descended.

Tempest studied the maps laid out on the table, absently running her fingers over the mountains and wild lands that lay pictured there. She barely heard the others talking and the impact of their words hit her suddenly even as her eyes focused on the two fortresses in question.

Could it be? Another evil power was gathering forces in the North? Yet, why had she felt nothing of this? Why had Mordor known nothing? The fact that the activities were concealed from even Mordor worried her more than anything else.

All this secrecy, and this line of supply from one fortress to another, it troubled her. Something nagged in the back of her mind, something that she could not place her finger on. This shield was more important that she had realized. Someone had wanted it; it had been no mistake that the Eldar had lost it. But what possible reason could there be for desiring it? If the shield had been cleansed of evil, it's use for evil would be diminished. If evil still somehow lingered within it, than even Gandalf had been mistaken. But would there be enough evil left to be of any use?

Tempest suddenly stood and excused herself from the meeting, saying that she would look for Carnimiriel and see if she needed any help. The others did not seem to notice her departure, so engrossed were they with their findings. Slowly Tempest made her way down to where Vrilg was being held.

Carnimiriel looked up as she entered. "Any progress?" Tempest asked softly.

"I'm getting there," the elven lady replied.

"Would you mind if I tried?" she asked slowly, as if afraid of the answer.

Miriel rose and said with a weary smile, "Go ahead."

"I would like to be alone with him".

Miriel's eyebrows raised and she gave her a questioning look. Feeling the need to justify her request, Tempest said simply "He would take more freely without your presence in the room."

A shadow of doubt crossed Miriel's face, but in the end she withdrew, promising to return shortly. Tempest nodded and waited until her footsteps echoed no longer in the hall before she turned to the orc. The two studied each other for several moments before Tempest addressed him in the Black Speech again. "Where is he?" she asked, though it was more of a statement than a question.

The orc was silent.

"Your friend lies not far away, where the elves have tossed his bloodied remains. Do not think they will not do the same to you, if you do not cooperate," she said darkly.

"I don't think you'll let them hurt me," Vrilg said with a twisted smile.

"You do not know me very well then," she replied icily. "Would you die for this master? Is he worth so much to you?"

His sharp, beady eyes studied her before he said, "He has made us more than mere orcs: he has made us equals to man and elf."

"And he will discard you as easily when you outgrow your usefulness. There are none who care for orc or troll beside their own, and even their own do not care for them!" she hissed, wishing for Miriel to reappear and work her power on the creature again.

"Perhaps," Vrilg said through slitted eyes, "Or perhaps he is like you. Perhaps he is one of the few who know our true potential, who can unleash the strength of our twisted race, and give us Middle Earth to trample beneath our feet!"

...Elbren completed the tale of Norod, the Shield of Gil-galad and then of the Guild's plans to try and rescue both the shield and any prisoners that the orcs might have.

Thranduil's eyes narrowed as Gimli actually stood up and took a step towards Elbren.

"You do realise," the Mirkwood King pronounced slowly, "that the Grey Mountains are notoriously infested with dragons."

"Cold-drakes they are," Gimli nodded, "and they ran my people all the way back to Erebor."

"I know," Elbren replied, "but we have no choice. The orcs have not diminished in numbers, it would seem, at Mount Gundabad. In fact, they've grown bolder and more strategic. We suspect that they have a very powerful Elven artifact and perhaps prisoners as well. One of whom may be my kinsman. I can't wait for an army to arrive from Lothlorien, and you can't spare me yours, Your Majesty."

"I can spare you some Archers, Lord Elbren, and supplies to keep you fed, but I can't tell you how it burdens my spirit to hear you speak of entering the Grey Mountains with only your company of Mithril Knights," Thranduil parried.

"We would very much appreciate that, Your Majesty," Elbren bowed in thanks, "and Master Gimli, any knowledge that you might add to the venture will also be crucial to our quest."

Gimli frowned and scratched his beard, "I can't tell you much about the Grey Mountains, other than what I've heard or seen on maps."

"I don't want to know about the Grey Mountains necessarily, Master Gimli," Elbren smiled, "what I want to know about is the colony that King Thorin the First founded in the Third Age. He was first king of that colony, wasn't he?"

"He was," Gimli muttered. "He led a good lot of the Lonely Mountain folk into the Mountains, lookin for metals and gems."

"I can't find much information about that colony," Elbren frowned, "and I was hoping to find it and perhaps use it as a base and shelter. This hunt may take months, and we may need it."

Gimli's eyes brightened, "Were you, now?"

"I was," Elbren answered, "unless there's some reason I should not. It was abandoned, was it not, and never put again into use?"

"Aye, that's true," Gimli nodded. "No reason that you can't use it." Gimli sat back down and took out his pipe. "That is, if you can find it."

"Precisely," Elbren said, "I can find no location for it nor even a name in any book."

"No," Gimli unhooked his tobacco pouch and began to fill the pipe, "you won't."

The silence was only broken by the crackling of the fire in the great hall. Thranduil began to drum his fingers upon the edges of his carven throne as Elbren wondered if Gimli had fallen asleep.

But, he hadn't. He lit his pipe and sent a spiraling cascade of smoke rings towards the ceiling.

"I might tell you what you want to know," Gimli finally said, "on one condition."

"And that is?" Elbren asked.

"That you let me accompany you on this quest. You'll need what I know, and I wouldn't mind seeing the colony. I might even be able to talk Legolas into going with us."

Elbren was rather surprised, "You would want to come with us?"

"Right," Gimli answered.

"Well, then," Elbren was quite pleased, "it would be an honour, Master Gimli."

"Don't forget, I know Elladan, too, I fought with him on the Pelennor Fields and at the gates to Mordor. I'm right fond of his sister, and his brother-in-law is one of my closest mates. You couldn't keep me from going, Lord Elbren."

Elbren nodded, "Good, then we shall be ever the stronger for your heart and spirit, Master Gimli!" Elbren turned to the King, "With your leave, I will inform the other Knights."

Thranduil still looked worried, but he consented, "Eru save you all," he motioned towards Elbren, "go and tell your news and then we shall all dine together this night here in the Great Hall."

Elbren bowed and left the room quickly, making his way in haste deeper into the caves of Mirkwood, eager to share the news...

After an indeterminable amount of time, whether minutes or days she could not tell, Elemmire slowly drifted back to conciousness. She blinked to clear her vision of the wavering glare of torches, and the pain came rushing through her head so strongly she would have fallen, had she not been tied to a tree. Blood had dried down one side of her cheek. She shifted and realized through the second burst of pain that her hands were cold and numb, so cruelly were the bonds tied.

A group of orcs, having noticed that Elemmire was awake, stood leering at her only a few feet away, and broke into hideous laughter when she tried to say something, only to fall back, head pounding. The laughter slowly faded back into a nightmarish sleep.

Carnimiriel had left Vrilg's cell rather reluctantly, because if Tempest could talk to him more easily, which was certainly the case, then if Miriel were present, it would be easier for her to read the thoughts behind the words and see if he was being honest. But Tempest was probably right, he would rather talk to her alone since she was the only one who could address him in his native tongue. The orc spoke the common speech better than most, but it was halting and peppered with strange words which may have been nothing more than orkish slang.

When Tempest left, Carnimiriel returned to the cell and sat down on one of the wooden stools that she had asked Thranduils' guards to provide. The other one was intended for Vrilg, but he ignored it and chose to sit on the floor. He was mending rapidly, thanks to her healing and the help from Thranduil's healer. Tempest had also furnished them with valuable information about the care of orcs.

Vrilg turned his head to look at her, but said nothing. Carnimiriel also sat silently, wondering to herself why she was doing this. Perhaps this orc should have died like his companion and saved them all the trouble.

"Why don't you kill me?" Vrilg finally asked.

"We hope you can help us." Carnimiriel admitted. "If you are unable or unwilling, we can always kill you and find another orc. But I think you will help us."

She could read enough of his thoughts to see that he was intrigued by the idea and was very curious about what they wanted from him, but at the same time he was wondering what he would get in return, and if they wouldn't kill him anyway in the end.

Searching his mind more deeply, Miriel realized that there was something he wanted, but he was afraid to even name it in his thoughts.

"Why should I help you?" Vrilg asked, his eyes narrowing. "All Elves kill orcs. If you and the other ***** (here he inserted some orkish word that must have meant female, though Miriel thought it was probably not a nice word) do not kill us, your men will."

"Because you do not have a choice." Carnimiriel stood up to her full height, weary of playing games with the creature.

For the first time in his presence, she drew openly upon the power of Runya, seeming to shine with a white light that hurt the orc's eyes.

"We are going on a journey, and you will go with us. I will know if you are dishonest or try to deceive us, because I can read your thoughts. As long as you are not dishonest, I will protect you from the others. I cannot be responsible for what they do to you if you try to mislead us, though."

Vrilg had cowered and hid his face when he first saw the blinding light, but now, with great effort, he raised his head and squinted in her direction.

"Even if I help you, you will still just end up in my Master's dungeon like the other elves." He grunted sullenly and again covered his eyes.

Other Elves? Carnimiriel's heart nearly skipped a beat and she quickly touched Vrilg's mind again to try to gather any further information. The image of an elf shackled in chains filled her mind, but it was not a face she recognized. Could this be one of Elladan's party?

Exhausted from her work with Runya, she left Vrilg's cell and went to see if the rest of the Knights had returned. She located Elbren just as he left his meeting with Thranduil and was preparing to inform the other Knights of what had been decided.

"Elbren, there is hope that Elladan might live." She whispered excitedly. "Vrilg has clear images of an elf in chains somewhere in his Master's dungeons."

"Oh, I hope so." Elbren replied, and he smiled, but he did not look very hopeful.

"We must somehow get word to Elrohir." Miriel continued. "He will want to join us if he can."

They entered the chamber where the other Knights waited to hear what had been decided. Elbren told them all the good news about Gimli, and perhaps Legolas, accompanying them.

"Weren't there some other Knights who were going to meet us?" Orodreth asked. "I specifically recall a message from Elemmire, and she should be here by now."

Idril nodded, frowning, remembering this as well.

Carnimiriel halfway listened to the plans being discussed, but her mind kept being drawn back to what little she had learned from Vrilg. Was it really a good idea to try to take this orc along, she wondered?

Elemmire was awakened again by the shouts and screams of battle. Morning's dim light shone just enough for her to see. A scouting party of Elves from Mirkwood had come across the orcs, and were attacking them despite the difference of numbers. The orcs, rather than fighting, retreated slowly, with a reargaurd covering their escape.

Coming to full conciousness, Elemmire tried to cry out, but all her throat could manage was a hoarse whisper. The battle lines drew closer. She swallowed and yelled again in Sindarin, louder this time, though the effort made her head reel, and the sound of the Elvish amid orcish shouts caught the ears of one of the scouts. He saw her.

Chaos and pain followed as Elemmire was gagged, blindfolded, and dragged away after having been cut from the tree. In their haste, the orcs had cut some of the bonds on her legs, loosening the others, and she struggled desperately, crying out and choking on the gag, hoping to gain some time. Her head began to bleed again. Finally, a loop was twisted and drawn tight around her legs, and she was jogged, still struggling, away from the battle.

---------------

Fernion paused from the fighting and met the eyes of a captive who had yelled something, only to see her hauled away by the orcs. He tried to move towards her, and was stopped by a sudden onslaught of orcs, who had been slowly retreating. Now it became a matter of fighting for their lives, and the Elves grouped together, defending their own retreat.

Minutes later the battle ended, with the orcs suddenly turning, leaving the Elves to count their losses.

Fernion approached the captain as soon as the fighting was ended: "My lord, they escaped with a prisoner, though not from our troops."

He was met with a look of startled worry: "Are you sure?"

Fernion nodded.

"Ride, then, to Thranduil's halls with four others, as swift as your horses can carry you. Tell them there that the orcs are here in more force than expected, and that they have an unknown captive."

The wind sang a furious song as it roared down from the frozen reaches of the forgotten north, ripping mindlessly through the passes and footnhills that comprised the outskirts of the dread fortress of Carn Dum. Riding high above on the icy streams and eddys of the chill air, the cold drake wheeled sharply in command to it's hated master, divorcing itself from the frozen current and beginning it's spiraling descent towards the fortress below. Perched upon it's back rode a figure tightly bundled in furs tainted a faint blue. In his gloved hands was gripped a staff of blue oak, power radiating from the blue gem at it's apex, violently controlling the cold worm-steed that bore him. The dragon came to a landing directly in front of the cold iron gates, slowly lowering itself to ground level so to allow it's maligned passenger to alight quickly onto the frozen ground. The Figure turned to face the drake, malice evident in his blue eyes,he raised his staff and made a circular motion towards the icy sky. The drake croaked a response then powerfully launched itself upward, hurtling back to the frozen waste from which it belonged.

The man turned and strode to the gate rapping two times violently with his staff. Slowly the gate creaked open to reveal a darkened courtyard within, containing a full company of orcs standing in battle formation. The company commander strode forward to greet the dragon rider."M'lord Pollando, welcome home." The Istari stared at the orc distastefully and then replied."The prisoners, do they yet live?" The Orc shook his head "All but one M'lord, a man-at-arms who perished from his wounds, we ah... disposed of the body." This last was said with a foul smirk on his vulgar features." And the Son of Elrond?" queried the Blue Istari. " He lives as well M'lord, a stubborn one I may add..." Nodding in response, the Blue Wizard strode into the porticullis and down into the bowels of Carn Dum. There was much to plan.....

Elbren sat in the Guild House library studying two maps of the Grey Mountains, his brow furrowed in concentration.

Where are you? he wondered to himself, where was the Dwarven colony?

Gimli had been evasive on the location of the colony, simply promising to guide them as best he could to the location. Apparently, the colony had been a hidden one, the name unknown, and whether or not it had been successful was not even spoken.

But it had to have been successful, why else would the Dwarves stay as long as they did?

"Lord Elbren!"

Elbren jerked up to see a Mirkwood Mithril Knight standing in the doorway, "There's been another battle, and a prisoner was seen being taken from the fray. An Elven prisoner, M'Lord, and the description of her cloak..."

"Yes?" Elbren was standing, his fists clenched.

"Well, it sounded to me like it was a Mithril Cloak, perhaps unrecognisable by others, but the description struck me as being one of ours."

"Tell me," Elbren urged.

"The cloak seeemed to shimmer, is what the report said, and the prisoner was Elven. She called out to the other Elves."

"No matter, whether she was a Mithril Knight or not," Elbren hesitated. Who could it have been? Elemmire? "How long ago?"

"A few hours, M'Lord," came the reply.

"Then we must track the orcs and do so quickly. Let's go!"

Elbren alerted the other Knights and Carnimiriel, "We must ride with all haste to the spot of the battle and try to track where they've taken this prisoner. Perhaps where they put her, there may be others, and more clues for our quest."

Elbren asked for volunteers and told them to meet outside the Caves of Thranduil, where their horses would be waiting...

"Untie the blindfold, you filthy..." the voice went off into a string of snarled curses. A grumbling orc snatched the cloth off Elemmire's head, filling her eyes with light. She bit her lip to keep silent despite the new pain and waves of dizzyness.

When her vision cleared Elemmire found herself staring up into the eyes of an orc, full of wrath and impatience, yet also with a glint of laughter, a kind of brutish enjoyment of the surrounding scene. A torch crackled in one hand.

"Orders say that prisoners are not to be harmed," leaning closer, he regarded her with an angry smirk, then continued: "But out here, all alone, accidents happen, and no one ever finds out."

Suddenly he thrust the torch towards her, causing her to lurch backwards, face little more than inches from the flames. Hideous laughter errupted from the ranks of orcs surrounding them. He yanked her head back, drawing a knife, and Elemmire could do nothing but watch from the corner of her eye as he brought the cold tip to rest at her throat. She closed her eyes, praying to Elbereth for a swift death.

Instead, the knife scored a shallow cut across her neck, and the orc released her with a callous shove: "Do not try to escape again," he snarled. "Because orders will not save you a second time."

Tempest had returned to hear Elbren asking for volunteers, and she was one of the first to step forward and offer her sword. The truth was, she was beginning to feel uneasy being in this place and wished to do something that would take her mind off her brooding thoughts.

She frowned when she heard the full report from the elfs who had just returned from battle. "Orcs do not often take elven prisoners. They usually torture and kill them, not leaving them to linger very long. They are not in the habit of allowing them to live," she said thoughtfully.

"Unless they are ordered to," Elbren corrected her.

"Even when they are ordered to," Tempest replied darkly. "That is why we must make haste to rescue this poor soul from their grasp before it is too late!"

Tempest's words caused Elbren's heart to skip a beat and his mouth to go dry. He trusted Tempest's knowledge in many things, and especially since she had become a Mithril Knight, taking that honour after witnessing the First Giliath Londe. Yes, he trusted her, and her knowledge of orcs was nothing to be dismissed.

"Then we must not waste another moment," Elbren said grimly, pulling on the last of his chain mail.

"I'll be with you as well," Gimli had entered the room and stood leaning on his axe handle. The Dwarf was clearly dressed for battle, "even though I still don't fancy riding on a horse."

"You are welcomed and I am glad to hear it," Elbren replied, beginning to walk briskly through the cave passages towards the surface where their horses waited.

Within the half hour, the Mithril Knights were mounted and ready to ride, joined by a score of Mirkwood Archers, Carnimiriel, Prince Legolas, and Gimli. One of the Archers had been at the battle where the prisoner had been seen, and despite his weariness, he insisted upon being the lead scout, at least as far as the battle site.

"Let's move with all haste and with as much speed as the forest will allow," Elbren urged.

Before the next march began, Elemmire's gag was untied, and she was given water and a little food. The water was soon gone, but the food remained uneaten. In her heart Elemmire resolved not to touch any of it until it was a choice between eating and death.

When the orc captain saw that she would not eat, his eyes lit with fury. He stormed towards her, then stopped, a contemptuous smile on his face: "You'll be running many miles even before today is done. I would make you eat, but it will be more amusing to watch you slowly forced to humble your own pride!" All Elemmire returned was an unwavering stare.

"Double the bonds on her wrists, behind her back." He glared coldly down at her. Then untie her legs, and make sure she can stand. If she escapes, you'll all die deaths as meiserable as her's!" He left.

After a moment, one of the orcs assigned to gaurd her whispered something to his companions, something Elemmire couldn't understand, setting them all roaring with laughter. When her wrists had been tied, three ropes were attatched, trailing behind her.

At the sound of a harsh shout the march began. Three orcs had hold of the ropes. Just when she had gotten used to half running, half stumbling with her arms tied fast behind her, one of the ropes was jerked hard. Elemmire tripped with the suddeness of it, landing in the trampled dirt, only to be kicked mercilessly and pulled up to run. Then it happened again. And again. And again. Soon Elemmire could hear nothing but a humiliating sea of laughter, echoing in her ears.

"Wait!" shouted Mirdain as he hurried to catch up with Elbren and the rest of the rescue company. I want to come with you. We'll make those orcs pay dearly for taking your friend prisoner. Besdies, it will be nice to get in a battle in which we have a jump on the enemy for one. This last comment he added with a dark smile. Secretly he ached to test the power of his new shield. Trusting that he could master it and that his crystal could aid him, he rode after the comapany.

As the group reached the site of the battle, the archer pointed out the tree where he believed 'the prisoner' had been tied. Carnimiriel went to the tree and touched it with both hands, using the energy of Runya to see if she could detect any signs.

"An Elf was indeed tied here." She said as others searched the ground nearby for any tracks or signs. "I can sense nothing else strongly." She added.

This was not completely true, because she could sense the pure vileness of the orcs who had camped here, and the way the spirit of the tree had wished to recoil from their touch. The tree did remember an elf tied there, and had sent subtle energy to aid this captive. But trees' thoughts were vague and mainly had to do with light and temperature and could tell her nothing more specific about the captive.

"The tracks lead north." Orodreth said. "Not that it is ever difficult to track orcs, but it may be difficult to tell whether they have a captive with them."

Carnimiriel's heart quailed at the thought of Elemmire being a prisoner of orcs. Even if she lived, surely she would be tortured and abused. An involuntary shudder went through her at this thought and for the first time in quite a while she thought of Celebrian, whose tormented spirit could only find peace in Aman. Her hands clenched into fists, though she didn't realize it, as she vowed silently to do whatever she could to help rescue Elemmire and any other prisoners these orcs may have taken.

Elbren noticed her clenched fists and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, which made her relax a bit.

"If I need to, I can weave an illusion to disguise us all as orcs." She whispered softly.

"Like you did at Dol Guldur." Elbren nodded, remembering. "But that was a much smaller party."

"Finrod Felagund disguised twelve." Carnimiriel replied.

"And was captured by Sauron when he saw through the disguise." Elbren answered with a note of warning in his voice. "Though I thank you for reminding me; it is possible we may have need of this skill, though Idril can also hide us with her 'veil.'

Carnimiriel nodded. She wanted to save her energy for when it would be of the most use and knew that she could trust Elbren's judgement in this matter.

The company rode with all the speed that they could towards the North; towards the Grey Mountains. Orodreth had been right, of course, the trail of the orcs was not difficult to follow. They, too, were moving with haste and showed no signs of halting or making camp.

"How far?" Elbren called out to Orodreth and Erinhue, who were leading the party. "How far ahead?"

Orodreth called back, "Less than an hour, we're gaining on them. If they stop to make camp for the night, we will have them."

I wonder if they know that we're in pursuit Elbren wondered.

Night fell, and stil they ran. Elemmire's mind had long since ceased to take much notice of her surroundings. All of her enegry was focused inward, willing her feet to keep moving.

Where am I going? she asked silently. North, her waking mind knew this, but nothing more. Where am I going to? I'm being saved by orders... for what end? Her heart did not want to answer. A tear blured her vision and fell, leaving a trail down her cheek.

The company halted for a brief rest as the sun began to sink into the West.

"They aren't slowing their pace at all," Orodreth told Elbren.

"I know," Elbren replied, taking a sip of water, "it's as if they are making for a destination. They cannot keep up this pace for much longer, I would not think."

"They could be waiting to set an ambush."

"If they know that we are in pursuit," Elbren pointed out.

What to do? Make camp and rest, traveling during the daylight when it was safer? Return to Thranduil's Halls and prepare for a longer journey? Continue the chase through the night, risking losing the trail and a possible ambush or battle?

"Let us take counsel hurriedly," Elbren finally said, "perhaps together we can determine our best course."

Elbren called the Mithril Knights, Carnimiriel, Legolas, Gimli, and the Mirkwood Archers together.

"Our course must be decided and decided quickly. There will be little moon tonight and travel will be slow. Yet, I would not leave their prisoner, whether it is Elemmire or not, to the fate of another night or day with the yrch. What say you all? Shall we press onward now? Camp? Or return to the Caves and regroup for a longer journey?"

"We have supplies enough for two weeks with us," Mirdain pointed out.

"And even with little moonlight, the path of the orcs is plain. I do not think we shall miss their path," Legolas offered.

"Perhaps not, but what if the prisoner is turned aside or the orcs split up? We may indeed miss those signs in the dark," Elbren answered.

Silence prevailed in the circle of Elves, Men, and Dwarf.

"If they are making for their stronghold, it will be worth the effort to continue the pursuit," Orodreth finally said.

"Tempest," Elbren turned to her, "what is your counsel?"

Mirdain spoke up. Well, I vote to continue the hunt tonight. I'm confident we have the skills to get us through. Carnimiriel, could perhaps our crystals be used in some way to light the path?

Carnimiriel flinched slightly to hear Mirdain refer to her jewel again as a 'crystal', but she knew he meant well.

"I can make light with Runya, yes, and I'm sure that you can with your crystal as well. Your fireballs during the battle were quite impressive, and I meant to tell you that."

She felt guilty for not complementing his skill sooner, because she truly was impressed that he showed so much promise and apparently without access to much training.

"However," She continued, "Do we really want to announce to the orcs that we are coming? A little light shown here and there may not hurt, but then again, the orcs can't be that far off."

Elbren nodded in agreement, and looked to the other Knights for their opinions.

When the stars began to show in the dusky sky, the troop made a brief halt. Elemmire sank to her knees, utterly exausted. She leaned forward, trying to stretch her stiff arms, and saw that a necklace had come out of her shirt. It was made of mithril shaped into a small but perfect lily. Long, long ago it had been given to her by a friend.

A faint smile touched her face for a moment as she remembered.

An orc saw her smile, then saw the necklace which had escaped notice when Elemmire's weapons had been taken. With a malicious grin he drew a knife and crept up behind her. A quick yank with his knife under the chain, and it broke. He picked it up off the ground as Elemmire jumped to get it back, only to to remember too late that her arms were tied fast behind her. The orc nearly doubled with laughter as he watched her struggle. He waved the necklace inches from Elemmire's tear-stained face.

Another orc came up and snatched it from the first orc's hand, flinging it to the ground and yelling in an unknown speech that made Elemmire shrink away in fear. An order to continue marching was obviously included in the harsh tirade, because Elemmire was pulled to her feet and ordered to march. She gave one glance back. The necklace glimmered where it lay.

"Hold up," Orodreth suddenly said.

They all drew in their horses and sat in silence, listening to the winds whisper through the trees of northern Mirkwood. The strong sound of running water soon reached their ears in the stillness.

"That's the Forest River," Legolas finally said, "the orcs must be planning to follow the river to the mountains. It's a much clearer path than staying within the trees."

"They'll gain speed," Gimli muttered.

An image from a map that he had been studying back in the Guild library in Thranduil's Halls suddenly sprang into Elbren's mind.

"Framsburg," Elbren said under his breath.

"What was that?" Gimli almost shouted.

Elbren looked at Carnimiriel and then towards Tempest, "Your people come from this country, farther North, yes? Frumgar and Fram--"

"Fram? The slayer of Scatha?" Legolas asked and Elbren nodded.

"The Rohirrim are descended from the Northmen, are they not?" Elbren asked Tempest.

Tempest was emotionless in her response: a simple nod.

"And they had a settlement--"

"They were called the ƒothŽod," Orodreth pointed North, "their main settlement was called Framsburg and it rested between the Greylin and Langwell rivers."

"Just Southeast of Gundabad," Gimli stroked his beard.

"That settlement is long deserted," Orodreth continued.

"Deserted long ago indeed," Gimli nodded, "Nain was King when Scatha began the devastation in the Grey Mountains. Fram killed the worm, but there was an argument over who got the dragon's hoard--"

"That sounds familiar," Elbren muttered.

Gimli didn't notice the comment, or if he did, he chose to ignore it, "War broke out. Fram was killed. In the end, the orcs took over the mountains, though some of the hoard went South with the ƒothŽod when they went to the aid of Gondor."

"How long ago was that?"

"Around...2200 or so...700 and some odd years, I think," Elbren replied, trying to recall events and dates.

"Not much left of that settlement, probably," Legolas mused.

"Maybe," Elbren shrugged, "and maybe not. I'm sure it's more accessible than Gundabad, especially for quick raids along the rivers and into Northern Mirkwood. Seems like a good base of operation to me."

"Actually," Miriel said, "that's not so very far-fetched. When was the last time any of you heard of someone even going to Framsburg to see what condition it is in?"

They all shrugged, "I haven't," Legolas finally spoke up, "not even once. The Free folk don't venture anywhere near Gundabad."

"Are you suggesting that we make directly for Framsburg?" Orodreth asked Elbren.

"The fastest route, if my memory serves from the maproom, is to take the river, which the orcs are doing. All I'm suggesting is that we be ready for what we might find in Framsburg."

"Which you think is?" Gimli asked.

"It could be nothing," Elbren replied, "or it could be an entire orc army awaiting our arrival."

"Are you suggesting that the orcs know we are in pursuit and are laying a trap for us?"

"No, I'm not, but I am cautioning us to be aware of all possibilities. I don't like the way that this feels. We were assaulted near Dol Guldur; Mirdain and Idril were attacked near Lorien, on the river. We captured a very intelligent orc rather easily in Mirkwood, and now the orcs are leading us towards the Grey Mountains."

"That doesn't all necessarily add up to a trap," Orodreth said, "but it does add up to something, perhaps."

"That is what we have to find out," Elbren nodded, "and preferably before we reach Framsburg."

"So, we press onward?" Legolas asked.

"Yes, with all speed that we can safely muster," Elbren turned to a few of the Mirkwood Archers, "you two return to Thranduil and inform him of our plans. We may very well need more supplies sent to meet us or we may need aid. Tell him we will send another messenger as we approach Framsburg."

The two Archers nodded and then quickly disappeared into the shadows of Mirkwood.

"Well then, let's get going," Elbren said and urged Erelas onto the riverside trail...

Tempest found herself lost in thought after Elbren's mention of Framsburg. She searched deep within to locate the source of her dismay, but discovered nothing except a strange uneasiness. As soon as Elbren had mentioned the name, she had felt with a uncanny certainty that Framsburg still lay somewhere in the distance, fallen under enemy hands.

"It is cursed," she said softly to herself, but Carnimiriel happened to ride close to her and heard the words with surprise.

"What is cursed?" she asked, and Tempest reddened slightly and shook her head.

"Nothing. I was just speaking to myself. An old legend. Strange what one remembers from childhood," she said with a sad smile.

"What legend?" Carnimiriel asked with interest.

Tempest seemed embarrassed, but the woman persisted. "I don't remember it exactly. I don't recall much of my childhood since I was taken to Mordor when I was very young. But I do remember a tale a strange, shriveled old woman used to tell us. We thought she was a witch of some sort, for she had the most unnatural piercing blue eyes and always seemed to be watching us from shadows. When we teased her or played childish tricks on her, she used to call down a curse on us, and she always used the name of Framsburg." Here she paused and they continued on in silence.

"I don't remember anything else," Tempest said slowly. Miriel raised her eyebrows but said nothing. Tempest was not one to share her personal thoughts, so it was better not to push her.

They followed the river for the better part of the night until they came to a turn. The water continued North and it was decided that they would go with it, when Tempest frowned and stayed her horse.

"It's not right. The trail is not right," she said, jumping down from her horse and surveying the ground. Legolas studied the path as well and sent her a questioning look.

"It is the same as before. They make no attempt to conceal their path," he said. Tempest righted herself and scanned the surroundings again.

"Even so, this is wrong," she said again.

"They are trying to mislead us?" Elbren asked sharply.

"I don't know. Something happened here, but I don't know," she said emotionlessly.

Her careless attitude and vague answers began to grate on the nerves of the already tense party. Gimli puffed a little, but held his tongue, hoping that Elbren would take care of the problem and get a clear answer from her. Legolas looked slightly offended at her rejection of his analysis.

Orodreth looked about to say something when Tempest said, "Wait here a moment," and disappeared abruptly into the forest. They waited in exasperation for several moments and then heard her cry out. Immedietly all weapons were drawn. Out of the brush burst a large black bird that took to the sky in a flurry of wings, and behind him came Tempest, her eyes bright with anger.

She caught Legolas' eye and pointed toward the bird. "Kill it! Quickly!" No sooner had the words left her mouth than the elf had notched an arrow and released it hissing into the air. With a small shrill cry, the bird fell to the ground. They gathered around it, not quite sure what had happened. Hanging from the bird's mouth was a small shining silver object. Tempest held it up for them to see. "I found it on the trail up ahead. Do you recognize it? It is surely not of orcish-make. It may belong to the prisoner."

Idril gasped in surprise as she saw the necklace Tempest was holding. "That belongs to Elemmire."

"Then she surely is, or was, a prisoner of the orcs, but that does not tell us if she is alive." Elbren said, looking worried. "And were we meant to find it? I don't like this."

Carnimiriel shuddered, not for the first time, at the thought of Elemmire being a prisoner of the orcs. She wished that she had brought Vrilg, the captive orc, along, as much trouble as he may be. Something told her that something he knew would be useful to them, if only they could either get him to talk or she could find the right information from his mind. When the two archers were making ready to return to Thranduil's halls, she told them to check on the captive and make sure he was well treated. Perhaps they could send for him later if more messages went between them and Thranduil.

"This is no ordinary bird attracted to shiny things." Tempest said. "It snatched the necklace right out of my hand and I'm sure was going to bear a message to its master."

"May I?" Carnimiriel asked, extending her hand for the necklace.

Tempest handed it to her and she closed her eyes, concentrating to see what energy may be left behind in the cold metal.

"This was taken by force." She finally said. "The prisoner is...or at the time...was alive. Why it ended up discarded here on the ground, I'm afraid I do not know."

Miriel sighed and opened her eyes. She noticed that some of the others, particularly Gimli, Orodreth and Mirdain, were looking at her expectantly as if they hoped she would be able to provide some insight. They looked vaguely disappointed that this was all she could tell them.

The company took to the trail again after a brief rest, but with heavy hearts. On one hand, they could be walking into a trap. But on the other hand, if Elemmire were alive, and nearby, how could they abandon her?

During another brief stop, Carnimiriel went to Elbren and took his hand, whispering, "The forest is too quiet. When is the last time you heard a bird sing? Perhaps it is time we were hidden."

Elbren turned to her. "I am sure you can disguise us all as orcs, as you have done so before. But what of the horses?"

"I was thinking of Idril's veil, actually." Miriel replied.

Elbren nodded and went to find Idril, asking her if she could do this at least until the sun rose and the danger of an orc attack was lessened.

Soon, they were again riding northward, but only a very keen eye would have seen the small movements of the leaves and dust where the horses' hooves fell, and only a very keen ear would have heard their passing.

Idril had been thinking while she scouted out the area where they were at and the trail ahead just a bit. Then Elemmire's necklace had been found. She had wanted to offer to offer her veil to protect them but she thought that when Elbren thought it wise, he would ask. He held back his horse until she had rode up to him, shortly after they had started out again, requesting that she take the lead using her veil to hide their approach. There was a slight breeze starting to blow into their faces which would help them as long as they continued on in this direction.

She took the point position and quickly unbraided her hair, running her fingers threw it, spreading it out in the breeze and with a slight shake and some concentration, she spread her veil. She spoke the old chant in Sindarin and the group became 'invisible' to anyone except those that might come upon them from behind and scent them in the breeze.

Miriel then asked Elbren to move a couple of the Elves to be right behind her in case something went wrong or they came upon something that Idril could not handle alone while keeping the veil up. With a look and a nod, two moved up behind her closely, surprising her just a bit. She turned and nodded to each them.

Mirdain tried to calm his nerves during this uneasy time by watching the expressions on his other companions faces. Idril's face was a mask of concentration, and Mirdain once again thought of all shed had done for him up to this point, and silently thanked her for it. As his gaze fell on Legolas, he suddenly remembered having met the famous elf before, on one of his earliest great adventures out of Lorien.

As he glanced at their leader, Elbren turned and gave him a look that suggested he should not be so idle. Blushing slightly, Mirdain took to sharpening his dagger as he concentrated on the trail ahead.

Are they making for Gundabad or Framsburg? Elbren wondered as they rode almost silently and unseen through Mirkwood, ever heading North with the Forest River beside them.

Elemmire may or may not have dropped the necklace for them to find, but the fact of the matter was that they had found it, and now they knew that the orcs had at least one prisoner. Did they also have others? And if they did, where?

When dawn approached, they orc trail turned suddenly West and the company could see a newly made trail through the tangled brush of Mirkwood. They halted for a brief respite and then followed the orc trail after Legolas confirmed that no orc had continued North with the river.

They rode on as the sun rose and once again Mirkwood came to life with birds and the buzzing of insects.

"I hope there aren't any spiders," Elbren muttered to himself and glanced sideways towards his wife, who had caught the quietly spoken words.

Her eyes widened for a moment, for though Carnimiriel would face all dangers presented to her, she truly loathed spiders. She said nothing, but she pursed her lips in thought.

After a few more hours, Elbren called a halt and a quick council.

"We will send scouts ahead now to move with all speed, leave the trail and make for the ruins of Framsburg. We need to know what awaits us. The orcs are how far ahead now?" Elbren directed this question to Legolas.

"Two hours, no more," Legolas answered, "and it would be wise, I think, to send Elves of Mirkwood for this scouting mission. They can move silently through the wood and know these parts better than the others."

"Agreed," Elbren nodded.

"Then let us send three," Legolas continued, looking at his fellow Wood Elves, "I will go and two more. Who will accompany me?"

Two Mirkwood Elves stepped forward and after a quick counsel, the three Elves slipped into the darkness of Mirkwood and disappeared.

"What are your plans if we do indeed come upon an orc camp at Framsburg?" Miriel asked Elbren.

"Determine their size, send for reinforcements if we have to, but certainly organise a rescue of Elemmire and whomever else they might be holding," Elbren replied.

The company remounted their horses and moved on with Idril's veil still concealing them from unwanted eyes. They continued in this manner until very late afternoon, when they finally emerged from Mirkwood and saw the Ered Mithrin, or Grey Mountains, looming over them with the sunset splattered behind.

"We halt," Elbren said as the others all looked at him in disbelief.

"Halt?" Mirdain asked.

"We know not what waits at the foot of those mountains and we have rivers to cross yet, aye?" Elbren answered.

"We have another hour of daylight, though," Gimli argued, shifting uncomfortably in his saddle, still clearly not liking being on the back of a horse. "I worry about the Elven girl and anyone else they may have. Perhaps they are just waiting to reach their settlement before they begin to have their way."

Gimli's blunt statement made them all finally face what they feared might happen to Elemmire.

"We can't delay," Carnimiriel said resolutely.

Elbren's heart pulled him ever towards Elemmire, his Guild sister and friend, but his head told him that they must have a clearer idea of what they would be facing. Or else, they all might end up dead. Or worse.

He knew that Carnimiriel was thinking of Celebrian and her capture at the Redhorn Pass. He certainly didn't want Elemmire sharing the same fate, or even a similar one, but Elemmire was a warrior, too.

Elbren's mind began to dart to and fro with the dilemma: But how tired is she? Is she wounded? If she left that necklace, then she was showing you a sign. What sign? The sign that she needs help; she's alive. Otherwise, she would have escaped by now or tried to. Or perhaps she had and was now wounded. Either way, she was asking for help.

But perhaps the necklace had fallen off by accident?

In life, Lord Elbren, you know that there are no accidents

Elbren was startled, to say the least, by the voice in his head. For it was NOT his! He was suddenly taken back, in his mind, to standing on the shores near Dol Amroth, newly awakened from a death sleep that had been induced by the poison of Ungoliant, and having Orome address him in the dreamtime with that same voice. Elbren had thought it all to be a dream, one that came when one was near death, and perhaps his own fears and beliefs had brought the "voice" of Orome to him. Elbren had spoken little of the dream to anyone, save Carnimiriel, and even to her, he had insisted that it was a dream and not a vision.

Move on with all speed, Elbren, I will be with you

Elbren turned his head slowly to his right and there he saw, with his heart in his throat, a shining apparition of Orome standing tall above the trees at the edge of Mirkwood. Tauron, the Lord of Forests. He sat upon Nahar, his horse, white in the sun, and shining silver at night. The Valar—ma, his great horn, hung across his chest, the sound of which is like the upgoing of the Sun in scarlet, or the sheer lightning cleaving the clouds.

I am with you, press onward Orome said.

Elbren was stunned and his mouth hung open slightly in his amazement.

"Are you alright?"

Elbren turned to see Carnimiriel beside him on her horse, but her voice was a whisper.

"I'm fine," Elbren stammered.

"Are you?" she said, studying his face. "You look extremely pale."

"Well," Elbren swallowed, "tell me this, look over there," Elbren pointed towards Orome and Narhas, "what do you see?"

But before Carnimiriel could reply, Legolas and his two companions came running up to the group breathlessly.

"Perhaps 30 orcs in the company, less than an hour ahead. It is still a day's journey to Framsburg and the river is yet to be crossed. If we catch them on this side of the Langflood, I believe that we can take them," Legolas said, accepting a waterskin from Gimli.

Elbren nodded and pointed to two more of the Mirkwood archers, "You two take point scouting, leave now, we will be just minutes behind you," the Elves nodded and leapt into the tall grasses. Elbren turned to the mounted party, "We will ride with all speed across the plain. Tempest and Orodreth ride pointfront and Mirdain and Idril take pointrear. Take a quick bite and some drink and then we will be moving."

Night fell slowly, as though the sun was unwilling to relinquish the world to darkness, and only did so perforce. The mountains, drawing ever nearer, burned with the last sunlight. It began to grow cold.

Elemmire shivered and tried to draw her cloak closer, but it would not stay while she stumbled and ran. Combined with hunger and exhaustion, she was soon shaking with chills. Her head, which had never stopped hurting entirely, threatened to completely overwhelm her conciousness.

She stopped when she nearly ran into the orcs in front of her. Looking up, she saw a cold, spring-fed river. They were going to cross it before dark fell. And then? Elemmire looked back. The forest receded back into darkness. She looked ahead. The mountains, and whatever waited beneath them, towered into the evening sky.

Mirdain made small talk with Idril as they moved along withe as much speed as possible to catch the orcs. He was thinking that, perhaps by making her happy she would become stronger and be able to control the veil longer. Such a burden she carries, he thought to himself. That made glance down at the jewel about his neck, and he thought of the burden it placed on him, his responsibility to wield it properly. Before concentrating on other matters, he swore an oath to himself that he would master its power before long and all the orcs or any other enemies he might encounter would fear him. As they continued on, he thought he could he the sounds of the target stream running in the distance.

"Just over the ridge! They do not know that we are upon them!"

The two Mirkwood scouts came leaping over the grasses that lay just before the river Greylin. The orcs had turned sharply North within the hour and were clearly making for a purposeful designation. Elbren still felt the presence of Orome with them, and his confidence was high that they would overtake the orcs ere they crossed the river.

Were they still making for the old Northmen settlement of Framsburg? It no longer mattered, as far as Elbren was concerned. The orcs had Elemmire and perhaps others as prisoners; it was the duty of the Mithril Knights to free them. THAT was Elbren's goal.

And the sun was rapidly moving towards the West. As far as Elbren was concerned, time was running out.

"We will attack, prepare yourselves," Elbren nodded to the two Mirkwood Elves in thanks as the Mithril Knights drew their swords, notched their bows, and lowered the visors of their helms.

Elbren trotted Erelas over to Carnimiriel, "If you have to, throw up a wall of fire to prevent their crossing of the river."

Miriel nodded grimly, drawing her own sword in preparation.

********************

Minutes later, the Mithril Knights charged at full speed across the grasses with thundering hooves, quickly overtaking the orcs. Elbren, Mirdain, Tempest, and Idril cut ahead of the orcs to prevent their crossing the river with any prisoners; the remaining Mithril Knights, Carnimiriel, Mirkwood Elves, Gimli, and Legolas came at them from the flanks and rear.

The fight was fierce for the orcs were desperate to get across the river; Elbren began to wonder at their zeal to do so just as the arrows began to rain down upon them.

"They have reinforcements on the other side," Elbren shouted to the others as yet another orc fell under his blade. "Find the prisoners!"

The arrows grew more thick as the darkness began to set in with solidity and still they could not see Elemmire or any other captives.

"Miriel!" Elbren called out, "We have to stop those arrows!" Just as the words left his mouth, an arrow plunked off of his helm with a dull thud and scudded to the ground.

That was when he spied Elemmire admidst the orcs. Elbren turned to Mirdain and Idril, "There she is! Follow me!"

Erelas needed little urging for his spirit was fire and battle was adventure; the mighty stallion sprang forward with a scream, startling the orcs, and plunged into their midst towards Elemmire. Idril and Mirdain were with Elbren and together their swords sang; they cut their way through the orcs, edging ever closer to Elemmire. Until finally, she was just below them, struggling to free her bonds, even as an orc tried to savagely kick her and knock her to the ground.

Mirdain it was who yelled a war cry in Sindarin and kicked his horse towards her, slicing through the twilight as the orcs head flew off with a look of surprise still upon it. Mirdain then reached down and lifted Elemmire to his saddle behind him, and turned the horse to parry yet another orc blade.

"Are there anymore prisoners?" Elbren yelled at Elemmire, who shook her head in response. "Fall back! Fall back!" Elbren then yelled, looking for Carnimiriel as he did so.

The company fell back, still fighting, as Elbren shouted still to Carnimiriel in Sindarin, "When we are clear, burn them to nothing!!"

Carnimiriel couldn't remember when she had felt such rage as she used the energy of Runya to burn what was left of the orcs on their side of the river to cinders. She had seen Elemmire, and the thought of her being the captive of these vile creatures made Miriel's blood boil.

It was with great effort that she calmed herself, realizing that she must save her strength and it would do them no good if she continued to burn the orcs after they were already dead. What was wrong with her? In recent years she had usually been able to use the energy of the jewel with a cool detachment so she did not place herself at risk.

Retreating till she was even with the Knights, she looked around for Mirdain. He had helped Elemmire from his horse and Idril was tending to her. Elemmire looked exhausted and unsteady on her feet, and Carnimiriel almost felt her anger get the better of her again until she remembered why she was looking for Mirdain.

"Mirdain, come with me. I need your help to get the flames under control."

Mirdain's head snapped up and he remounted his horse quickly. Carnimiriel didn't take the time to explain what she was doing; she simply sent an image into his mind of what he needed to do with the jewel he wore in order to help her, hoping that he did not find this intrusive.

Together, they drained the energy from the fire closest to them until only a thin wall remained separating them from the orcs on the other side of the river. Miriel knew it was dangerous to let the fire get out of hand and possibly rage through the forest and back towards them.

Mirdain was looking at her quizzically, she noticed as she turned to him.

"Can we not send the flames to the other side of the river?" He finally asked, wiping sweat from his brow, as it was getting quite warm close to the fire.

"Perhaps, with both of us working together, we can do it." She replied with a nod, flipping her braid over her shoulder and urging her horse closer to the flames, hoping that the wall of fire was enough that the orcs couldn't see clearly through it and shoot arrows at her.

Concentrating on some dry bushes on the other side of the river, which could only be dimly seen through the flames, she again showed a picture to Mirdain directly into his mind so that he could help her. Before a minute had passed, these bushes had leapt into flame and the fire was spreading.

Mirdain grinned. "We did it!" He almost laughed for joy.

Carnimiriel smiled remembering some of her first successes with fire and thought that she probably knew how he felt. Together, they put out the fire on their side of the river. There was no need for it now. Miriel didn't realize how exhausted she was until they reached the others and Elbren had to help her dismount from her horse.

They were all relieved that the battle was over, and Tempest could see the exhaustion in Miriel's face as Elbren helped her down off the horse. There was a crowd around Elemmire and Tempest strained her neck to get a glimpse of the elven warrior. She seemed to be in one piece, at least that was a good sign, Tempest thought grimly. She would return the necklace she had found later, when things had calmed down. Instead, she walked a bit apart from the rest of the group and studied the burning wall the lit up the sky across the river. Her dark eyes took in everything. Though she could feel the heat of the flames even from the distance, she shivered in spite of herself.

She felt Gimli at her elbow but did not turn. "What are you thinking?" he asked in a gruff voice.

She shivered again. "Do you not feel it?" she said softly.

He looked quizzically at her. "Feel what?"

"The weight of suffering. If only these trees could speak, what terrible tales they would share with us!"

He nodded and they stood silent for several moments. Finally she spoke again. "Do you believe in chance?"

He did not answer, knowing that she would answer her own question. Human creatures always acted strangely when they had something on their minds. They never came straight out and said it, which the dwarf found rather irritating. Still, he was in a contemplative mood and was content to listen.

"I don't," she said with conviction. "I believe everything happens for a reason, that there is some purpose for all of us to be right here at this very moment. But whose purpose? That is what I do not know," she said with sigh.

The others were calling to them, so they began to hurry back to join them. "I'm glad that we did not cross the river. We are getting into more steep country, and where there are orcs and mountains, there are sure to be caves."

"And what's so terrible about caves?" Gimli asked with a smile.

"I hate caves. They never hide anything but evil creatures. I almost loathe them more than the Dark Lord himself," she answered with a sour face.

Gimli roared with laughter.

Without warning Elemmire was hurled to the ground by her captors. Arrows began raining down amongst them, but she didn't notice, because there were Sindarin shouts to be heard, as well as orcish. Managing somehow to get up on one foot, she pushed aside for a moment the orcs around her in a desperate atempt to escape their hold.

Then one came from behind, trying to put a blindfold around her face. Elemmire avoided it, only to double over in pain from a merciless kick right below her ribs, forcing the air out of her lungs. Now blows fell thick as the arrows skittering around them, even while they tried to drag her away from the fight.

A horse screamed nearby.

After what seemed longer than a thousand years, Elemmire sensed vaguely that there were hoofs pounding nearby. The chaos parted as they drew nearer. Someone grabbed her arm, and she looked up fearfully.

He was a stranger, but also a friend. She felt herself pulled onto the back of his horse. Someone else, who she seemed to recognize, asked her about other captives. Too much in shock for words, she only shook her head.

They helped her down just beyond where the battle had been. Only then did she realize that she did recognize most of the people around her. The Elf that saw me must have lived. was all she could think.

Lightning blazed a trail of hateful fury, scorching the cold northern sky with unbridled anger in rapid,erratic blasts. Silouetted against the raging storm sat Carn Dum, ancient and forbidding, seemingly absorbing the electrical fury and storing the wild energy within the depths of it's hateful soul. A lone tower reared high into the raging sky, defiant, representative of the power and malice of it's sole inhabitant. The tower room was dank, exuding an odor of sweet decay, a residual stench left over from it's original owner.

Hunched over an elevated dais in the center of the room stood the present lord of the Tower, an ancient figure clad in a large blue cloak, Pollondo, the Blue Istari and enemy of the West. His visage at the moment was terrible to behold. Upon the dais rested two items, both of them treasures and icons of inconcievable power. Resting in a round cradle of mithril sat a perfectly round stone, a faint light emanating from it's core. It was this item that held the wizard's attention, for it was a palantir, the ancient stone of Fornost, recovered ages ago and kept secret by it's present keeper. The Wizard had just watched his very formidable force of orcs lose miserably in battle to the company of Mithril Knights. Apoplectic would be an accurate way to describe his mood. On the other side of the dais resting upon an easil sat a shield. The shield was ancient,of Noldorin design. Upon closer inspection could be discerned a family crest emblazened upon it's center.The house of Fingon, High King of the Noldor. A closer look revealed the emblem bordered with a regal crimson, representative of a scion of that house, the only scion and the hier, the mark of Erinion, Gil-Galad, himself High King of the Noldor in exile during the second age. Carved around the perimeter of the shield were ancient runes of power, set in the hand of Celebrimbor, the master craftsman and cousin to the ancient king. The shield was powerful, embuing the user with the ability to unite and inspire,making the forces of the bearer almost invincible. The Blue Wizard had just one dilemma. He did not know the words needed to activate all of the shield's power. He had descried some of it's uses, but not all, hence the defeat of his orcs at the hands of the Mithril Knights. As the last trace of light was extingushed from the Palantir, the Wizard wheeled in anger and determination, setting off for the dungeons of Carn Dum. There was one being that knew the incantation needed to invoke the shield's full power and that person sat in chains,incarcerated in the foul chambers below.....Elladan, the son of Elrond.......

Elbren and the others in the company moved back towards the safety of Mirkwood and the taller grasses and made a fireless camp. He was even more unsure, after the battle, than he had been before about what they were up against. Who or what had the Shield of Gil-galad? Was Elladan alive or dead? What were they planning to do with the Shield?

So many questions...

"We should send word back to my father of the battle," Legolas said as he walked up to Elbren's quiet contemplation.

"Yes," Elbren agreed, shifting his stance as he stared across the dark plains towards the Grey Mountains.

"Shall...shall I do so?" Legolas asked, his eyes quizzical upon Elbren.

"What? Oh, yes, by all means," Elbren replied.

The spirit of Orome was still very much with Elbren as he stood there. If Orome had come to aid them, then could he assume that the situation somehow concerned the Valar across the Sea?

"Something troubles you," Legolas continued as Gimli sauntered up, followed by Tempest and Orodreth.

Elbren nodded and shrugged simultaneously, "This whole matter troubles me."

"Sometimes answers are not so easily found," Gimli counseled, "yet, we must still act."

"How can we act when we do not know those answers?" Elbren mused.

"We must go on faith and what we DO know, lad," Gimli countered. "Nothing has changed, really. We know nothing more than we did back in Thranduil's Halls. We have Elemmire safe and sound, and thank the stars for that. We know that someone has the this Shield of Gil-galad, and that they probably shouldn't. We're not here to wage open war against these orcs, Lord Elbren, we're here to get the shield and Elladan, if he lives."

Elbren's eyes narrowed, "Agreed."

"We have to leave the war to those with armies," Gimli continued, nodding and then stroking his beard thoughtfully, "our strength lies in stealth. We need supplies, and we need secrecy. I counsel that we send a scout to Framsburg and see what is to be found there; send another scout back to Thranduil and let him know what has happened."

"We will do that," Elbren agreed, "Legolas, send your Mirkwood scouts to do as Gimli has suggested. We will prepare to move--"

"We should travel by night, when we can," Legolas interrupted, "the mountains are still full of foul creatures that have voices of evil."

As the moon rose later that night, one Mirkwood Elf mounted his horse and galloped back towards Thranduil's Halls while another left on foot to scout Framsburg. Elemmire was resting comfortably while the others took turns with the nightwatch.

Elbren sat alone near the Western edge of the camp, cross legged on the ground, contemplating their next course. He was so deep in thought that it took him a few moments to realise that there were sounds of horses arriving from the South.

He quickly leapt to his feet and trotted towards the others as the silhouettes of five horsemen became visible. The riders were silent, except for their horses' hooves upon the earth, but as they approached, they called a greeting in Sindarin and with a voice that Elbren instantly recognised.

"Elrohir!!"

Indeed, it was the son of Elrond and with him he had four Rangers of the North. Elbren practically dragged Elrohir out of his saddle and they embraced tightly.

"What are you doing here?" Elbren said as the others gathered around, relieved to see that it was allies and not enemies.

"Word came to Rivendell of your mission," Elrohir said, nodding and adding greetings to those he knew, "I am sure we reached the same conclusion, Elbren. How could I not join you when my brother may be held prisoner? This matter concerns us all."

"I am most glad that you are here," Elbren smiled, "for we are still determining our next course. Your counsel and wisdom will greatly aid us."

"We have already sent an army North towards the Ettenmoors where there have been recent skirmishes with orcs and other foul creatures," Elrohir was explaining as they all sat around the camp, "Aragorn...Elessar, that is, has sent builders and troops to Eriador, but their settlements are far from complete and they are at risk from these mountain foes. Erestor left five weeks ago."

"Interesting, the orcs are attacking from both sides of the Misty Mountains?" Elbren asked.

"So it seems," Elrohir nodded.

"You came across the Redhorn Pass?" Gimli asked.

"We did and with all haste. A messenger bird arrived from the Guild House in Edoras, sent by Freahelm. When he said it was the Shield of Gil-galad, I knew that my brother was either dead or held prisoner. I had Celeborn consult---" at this, Elrohir suddenly ceased talking and seemed to stutter uncomfortably, "we have good reason to believe that Elladan is alive."

Elbren and the others waited for Elrohir to continue, but he sat silent. It was one of the Rangers, one that Elrohir had called Aracos, a tall, dark eyed man with soft features and a distinct Eriadorian accent, who spoke next.

"We also sent word to the King that the North was soon to be immersed in a war with the Northern Orcs and that it was very likely that they have a sophisticated leader."

"And have you received a reply?" Carnimiriel asked.

"Not yet, but I know that he will send what aid he can. There are enough Rangers and Gondorian soldiers to defend the settlements at Amon Sul and in Rhudaur, but the Northernmost settlement, the one near the Hoardale, does concern us," Aracos replied.

"Because they are so far away?"

"No, M'Lady, because we have had no word in over a month," came the soft reply.

A few sounds of alarm were made by the company as a chilled wind blew down upon them from the North.

"You will find nothing at Framsburg," Aracos went on to say, "my people have visited there within the last year as we scouted for Elessar and help him draw his plans to raise Arnor again. Did you know that he plans to make Arnor his primary residence?"

"No, I did not," Elbren replied.

"It is so that my sister can be close to her kin, especially to Celeborn," Elrohir explained.

"Not to mention it's where he was raised and calls home," Aracos said proudly.

"And so Framsburg is--"

"There might be a temporary orc camp there, Lord Elbren," Aracos continued, "but there are no ruins there that could be utilised as a winter encampment."

"Mount Gundabad?" Gimli asked, drawing out his pipe and packing it.

"Possibly," Elrohir nodded, "Aracos knows of a series of natural caves that lead from the Langwell to Gundabad. We can't take the horses, of course, the climb down is too steep."

"There's no climb down," Aracos grinned, "we'll have to lower ourselves by rope."

A few groans emitted from the group as Gimli chuckled. The Mirkwood Elves, including Legolas, also laughed, "We'll need to be careful, but going underground is not the terror that some make it out to be. You were all just guests in my home in the mountain caves of Mirkwood. It was not so bad, yes?"

"No," came one reply, "but you have lived there for centuries and care for it regularly. Who knows what might be in these caves or even if they aren't collapsed?"

"These caves are cared for, in a way," Aracos answered, "by the Gundabad orcs. It is a regular passageway for them from Gundabad to the Eastern side of the Misty Mountains."

"Oh wonderful," Elbren muttered. "And how do you propose we get past the orc troops?"

"There aren't quite troops, Lord Elbren, but yes, we will have to be careful," came Aracos' answer.

"It will be much less time than trying the mountain trails," Elrohir said. "We have to try."

"I'll go with you," Gimli nodded, lighting his pipe.

"As will I," Legolas confirmed.

"And I," Elbren said, looking over at Carnimiriel.

"If you think this is best, than I will follow as well," Tempest said to Elbren, though she grimaced at the prospect of caves. The last time she had been in the depths of such a place had been...rather unpleasant, but she would not think of that now. She shivered involuntarily and Gimli could not help but nod his head playfully at her.

"Why do you believe that Elladan is alive?" Tempest asked suddenly. "And if he is, what reason would there be for them to keep him so? What is there to gain by such a captive?" It was a question that troubled her greatly, though she knew not why.

The first thing Elemmire noticed when she opened her eyes was bright morning sunlight streaming through the leaves above. She lay still, trying to remember when her eyes had closed.

A woodpecker's staccato sounded nearby. She sat up a bit, trying to find it, but saw nothing at first. Then the black and white patterned bird flew to a tree scarce fifteen feet away, bringing itself into plain view as it foraged in the bark.

Elemmire made a soft clicking noise with her tongue, in imitation of a woodpecker, but it came out raspy. She thought about getting up for a drink, but stopped. The bird paused, eyeing her warily. It hopped down a little, then froze, watching her with its head cocked to one side.

Then, it continued on, sending small chips of bark to the ground with its picking. After another minute, white-spotted wings carried carried it away. Elemmire smiled, watching it go.

Only when the bird had flown out of sight into the forest did she sit up further. Pain shot up her wrists; she winced, and looked down. Bandages covered what must have been deep cord-burns, the result of knots pulled far too tight.

She got up carefully, finding that she could stand, and walked towards the fire.

Idril had been leaning against a log resting when she heard Elemmire coming towards her. She stood and greeted her with a smile.

"How are you this morn? I should check your wounds and I have some tea for you to drink that aids in healing from the inside. I hope that you slept peacefully."

Elemmire rasped out, "I am rested" but that was all that she could manage with a dry throat that was some what sore from the heavy breathing of running that she had endured.

"No need to speak further now. Rest. Eat and drink. Gain your strength back. There will be a time to answer questions and I suppose that you should first speak with Lord Elbren. But for now some food and drink." And with that Idril handed her a cup and some dried fruits and lembas cake. She sat with her and had a cup of tea also observing her movements and the bandages that she could see. She got up as she noticed her shiver and placed a cloak over Elemmire's shoulders. The younger looked up with thankfulness.

"I am going to tell Lord Elbren that you are awake. I will return. Eat as much as you can, you need to regain your strength."

Idril walked to a tent and spoke aloud knowing that Elbren and Carnimiriel would already be awake. "Good Morning Lord Elbren, Lady Carnimiriel ... May I have a word?"

'Idril ... yes please enter.'

Idril stepped into the tent.

"Elemmire has awaken and I've given her food and drink. I know that you wanted to be alerted as soon as she was awake. Her voice is raspy but she is understandable. She should be fine in a few days time. She is strong of spirit! I've seen others endure less and die from the way orcs treated her." At this she fell silent.

'This is good news and yes, I would like to speak with her. I will come to her in a few minutes.'

"I will tell her. We are near the big log."

With that she turned and left and went back to where Elemmire sat.

Carnimiriel went to use her own healing energy to aid Elemmire, though for some reason she felt reluctant about doing so. It was not that she didn't want to do whatever she could to help, but that the thought of her fellow elf's captivity filled her with so much anger that she couldn't think clearly. Fortunately, it seemed that Elemmire's most serious injuries were from the ropes that had bound her wrists, though she was terribly weak and exhausted. Miriel took both of her hands and used Runya to send some healing energy into Elemmire's tired spirit.

Elemmire smiled and whispered hoarsely, "Thank you."

"Are you..." Carnimiriel began hesitantly, not sure if she wanted to know the answer, "...did they...are you hurt anywhere else?"

"No." Elemmire's voice rasped quickly, her eyes wide with horror as she realized what Carnimiriel must be asking. "It seemed they were under orders to take me somewhere, relatively unharmed."

Miriel breathed a deep sigh of relief, feeling some of her anger dissipate. But then she wondered, for what purpose did they want Elemmire alive? And what of Elladan? In her heart she whispered yet another prayer to Elbereth for his safety. She loved him like a brother, and she couldn't bear the thought of Elrohir being without his twin. The two of them were closer than any siblings she knew, except possibly her own young twin daughters.

Elbren approached to speak with Elemmire, and Miriel left the two of them alone as she went back towards the tents. Elrohir was sitting on a clump of moss with his back to her and did not hear her approaching until she called his name and he turned around, smiling to see her, though his eyes were sad.

Carnimiriel sat down beside him and took his hand. "I'll do whatever I can to help, you know." She said softly.

"Thank you." Elrohir replied. "I hoped you would be coming with us."

"Of course I will! I would do anything to help Elladan, and you know that." She squeezed his hand and smiled at him.

"What if it was me?" Elrohir turned to her and asked teasingly with a raised eyebrow. "You always liked him best."

Miriel chuckled, glad to see that Elrohir was still up to some of his old jests, though she could tell it was not without some effort on his part.

"Now stop that, you know that Elbren and I love you both about as far as we can stand you." She replied scoldingly, though she was smiling. "Now get some rest."

She kissed Elrohir on the cheek and left him, going back to her tent and getting ready to sleep. Elbren joined her shortly.

"Elemmire thinks she feels well enough to accompany us." He said. "Tomorrow morning we will make the final plans. We will have to send the horses back with some of Thranduil's folk since we can't take them where we are going."

Carnimiriel nodded, thinking with some reluctance of parting with her new horse, Glosgil that had been a gift from Freahelm. Her old horse Rohsil was under the care of Freahelm's household back in Rohan, and she hoped to bring him back to Lothlorien someday. Rohsil had been a gift to her from Cirdan when she first started her journey from the Havens, the journey that had eventually led her to her apprenticeship with Lady Galadriel in Lothlorien and her marriage to Elbren. Rohsil's better days were drawing to a close, but he would be an excellent horse for the children.

"I still think we need Vrilg." She said, though they had discussed the orc captive who remained in Thranduil's care before. "I don't know why, but I still think he knows something that can help us. Perhaps he can help lead us through these caves Aracos mentioned."

"Or betray us to the orcs and get us all killed." Elbren added, turning to regard her seriously.

"I don't often use Runya for such purposes, but I believe I can control him." She said solemnly.

Miriel didn't like the idea of forcing her will on another, even an orc, but she was willing to give it a try.

Elbren appeared to be considering this, and then finally said, "Very well. I will inform the messenger who leaves tonight to have Vrilg brought to us, though we can't wait for his arrival. The elves who bring him will just have to bind him, gag him, throw him on a horse and catch up with us. Then we shall see how helpful he may be."

Carnimiriel understood Elbren's reluctance, but she knew that he also trusted her when she had a 'feeling' about something. "If it seems he won't be any help to us, we kill him." She said.

"Agreed." Elbren replied, then left the tent to go convey this to the messenger.

While Mirdain and Tempest took the first watch, the rest of the camp settled down in their tents to try to get some sleep after the long and tiring day.

As they broke camp the next morning, Elbren's mind was on the quest as it now stood: With him were Legolas, Gimli, Carnimiriel, Tempest, Idril, Mirdain, Elemmire, Elrohir, Aracos, and Parth. The horses were being returned to the Guild House in Mirkwood, and Vrilg would be sent back with a guarded escort. They would rendezvous at Framsburg. From there, they would follow the Langwell until they came to a series of waterfalls, well into the Grey Mountains. The entrance to the tunnels beneath the Grey Mountains was there, Aracos had told them. Dangerous they were, but they were the fastest way to find out where Elladan was and who held the Shield of Gil-galad.

Still, Elbren was uneasy. He had heard many tales about creatures that made their homes in tunnels and caves. And even if that did not seem disconcerting, he knew that orcs used these tunnels for travel. That, in itself, was certainly bad enough.

And what about Carnimiriel's suggestion that they retrieve Vrilg and have him go with them? Elbren trusted his wife and more times than not her instincts were on the mark; still, though, he knew that he would not sleep while the orc was amongst them and his eyes would never stray for very long from watching him.

Before the sun was an hour above the horizon, they headed West and North, walking in single file in silence. By noon, they had reached the Greylin, just North of where it converged with the Langwell to form the Langflood. They took a rest and ate while Elbren and Mirdain scouted the river, attemping to find the best crossing point.

"Shall we use ropes?" Mirdain asked as they searched.

Elbren thought for a moment, "Well, I think that everyone save perhaps Gimli would be able to traverse the river in that fashion. But I do not think that we will have to concern ourselves with it. Look."

Elbren stopped and pointed, and then drew his sword. There was a bridge just ahead of them; it looked well maintained and sturdy.

"Who built that?" Mirdain whispered, drawing his own sword.

"I don't know, but whoever did, they've taken good care of it. I wonder if Framsburg might indeed hold a surprise or two for us."

Yet, they approached the bridge without sign or sound of any enemy. One there, they crossed it, seeing that it was indeed sturdy and well managed, but they saw no sign of who had made it or still used it.

"Well, it looks like we've found the way to cross the river," Elbren announced.

The two Galadrim Elves returned swiftly to the others and told of their discovery. Shortly thereafter, the company crossed the bridge as the mountains loomed before them.

"Where did you leave the girls?" Elrohir asked, moving up alongside of Elbren as they walked.

"They are home in Caras Galadhon," Elbren replied, "we had planned to take them as far as Mirkwood, but we ran into an orc scouting party just North of Freahelm's lands."

Elrohir whistled, "That far South?!"

"Yes," Elbren frowned. "That was mild compared to what we experienced near Dol Guldur."

Elrohir shuddered, "Still a nasty place, that. Well? Go on, tell me!"

"Some sort of...darkness attacked us and...well, we don't really know."

"Darkness?" Elrohir asked.

"A fog...sort of," Elbren shrugged, "it's hard to say. Dark dreams...definitely dark energy."

"It will be a long time before Dol Guldur is completely free of Sauron's influence, despite what the Galadrim did to it during the War," Elrohir pointed ahead, "is that smoke?"

The company halted at Elrohir's words and looked towards the dark plume. It rose slowly from the mountains ahead, twisting and spiraling lazily.

"It's smoke," Gimli nodded.

"But our path does not pass near to it," Aracos spoke up, "we will be turning sharply North within the hour on a lesser used trail that I know."

"Lead on, then," Legolas told the Ranger, and the company was moving again.

A frown found its way to Elbren's face as Carnimiriel took Elrohir's place beside him, "Something amiss?" she asked quietly.

"It seems odd to me," Elbren whispered so low that Miriel could barely hear him, "that a Ranger would be so familiar with this side of the Grey Mountains."

Carnimiriel looked up ahead towards Aracos and Parth, who were at the lead of the company. "Who knows what lands that Aracos has travelled? He seems very knowledgeable, and Elrohir clearly trusts him."

Elbren nodded but said nothing.

Tempest watched the circling black smoke from the distant fire as it curled and floated away upon the wind. She listened distractedly as Elbren and their guide exchanged a few words about the path they would take. As she gazed at the mountain that loomed in front of them, she wondered where Framsburg lay. It was strange, she thought, that she had never heard talk of it in Rohan. Why did the elves not speak of its discovery to the people who had built it? She frowned at this and cast a reproachful look toward the elf who rode nearest to her.

The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. It was true that she was not intimately involved in the politics of Rohan, in fact she rarely could be found within its borders. However, she always took a special interest in it now that her son lived there and she was certain that she would have heard if Framsburg had been discovered.

She thought of the curse that old woman in her village had spoken of long ago. She didn't believe her words, but she doubted greatly that an abandoned city would remain untouched by enemy hands. Could they really enter Framsburg safely? And who had built that bridge? It was not done by orcish hands, that she knew. "Elbren!" she called loudly to him from the back of the group. "Perhaps Framsburg is a trap. That bridge looked newly built. Must we really meet there?"

Elbren turned at Tempest's voice and stood still until she had joined him.

"What are your thoughts on this?" Elbren asked as the group as a whole came to a standstill.

Tempest voiced her concerns with as few words as possible, but clearly, she was against the planned rendezvous at Framsburg.

"The Northern tribes have been to Framsburg within the last year," Aracos said as he walked up, looking a bit impatient, "I assure you, it is still in ruin. We may find a temporary base there, if anything, but it is in no condition to house an army."

"Perhaps, but who built that bridge? And why?" Elbren countered.

"I do not know. It looked to have been built recently with the purpose of crossing the river, I would suppose," Aracos replied.

"Whomever is holding the Shield and Elladan knows that we're on the trail--" Elbren started to say.

"Are you absolutely sure of that?" Aracos asked.

"We ran into an orc scouting party just North of Rohan---"

"That scouting party may or may not have been sent to deal specifically with you," Aracos interrupted again, "in all likelihood, Lord Elbren, and with all due respect, that scouting party was sent with no knowledge of your journey towards Mirkwood."

"We certainly ran into something sinister near Dol Guldur," Carnimiriel said.

"As would anyone who passes near to that place," Aracos suggested.

"Are you saying that all of this was pure concidence?" Elbren asked, with a tinge of defensiveness to his voice.

"I'm simply suggesting that all of this being an elaborate trap is a bit far fetched," Aracos cleared his throat, "again, with all due respect."

"I suggest," Elrohir spoke up, "that we continue on with our planned route. We shall be wary and watchful. As we approach Framsburg, we will ensure that all is well before we go strolling into the place."

Aracos and Parth nodded, "As you wish," then they walked away and spoke quietly betwixt themselves.

"If I didn't know better, Elbren, I would say that you are not trusting of our two Ranger friends," Elrohir said scoldingly. "They have come a very long way with me to aid us in hopefully releasing my brother, and that is the only reason that they are here. I would appreciate you treating them with a bit more trust and respect."

Elrohir then walked off to join the two Rangers as Elbren pursed his lips in thought. He looked at Carnimiriel, who looked just as scolding as had Elrohir.

"Let's move on, then," Elbren said quietly, then he turned to Tempest, "let's keep our eyes open. Something still doesn't feel right about this Framsburg rendezvous."

When Elemmire had heard the full tale of the shield and Elladan from Elbren, she had been ready to go. Never mind that she was exhausted, or that she was not yet completely ready to face the fear and pain she had just come through. She couldn't sit by while it happened to someone else.

Now, on the bridge, a cold wave swept over her. Elbren, nor anyone else, knew who built the bridge. She was reasured, hearing Tempest's doubts voiced, but Aracos's answer, and disagreement with Elbren, did little for Elemmire's confidence.

When they had crossed and started on again, she told him so: "Elbren, I do not wish to go to Framsburg, though I will. I say only this: everything that has happened since this began has been a surprise. We know nothing, and I'm not very comfortable with that. Surprises can't be helped," she swallowed. "I know that. But, please, don't let Aracos minimize things like this bridge."

They approached Framsburg just before sunset, but because of the unease in the group, Aracos turned them slightly North to make camp. Aracos advised a fireless and quiet camp; so the Knight settled into a somber seclusion in the woods.

Elrohir and Parth left soon after their evening meal to get a look at Framsburg while a guard was set at the encampment. Legolas and Gimli took the second watch, then Tempest and Idril, and finally Elbren and Aracos. It was after midnight when Elrohir and Parth returned with their news.

"The place is absolutely abandoned, as Aracos said it would be," Elrohir said, taking an offered waterskin and dried meat.

"Nothing at all there?" Elbren asked.

"Nothing but ruins and no sign of anything permanently living there. There are signs of old camps, old fires, even some food left in one of the buildings either as an offering or for a returning traveler, but no sign of orcs," Elrohir confirmed.

"No orcs..." Elbren's voice trailed off.

"You really thought that there would be, didn't you?" Elrohir asked.

"Yes, I did," Elbren sighed. "Framsburg is the logical place to make a base for a war on this side of the Misty Mountains."

"Perhaps that's not where the war is to begin," Elrohir commented, "remember, it is the Northern colonies of the Rangers, on the other side of the Mountains that have been attacked."

"Yet, Thranduil has been attacked here as well," Elbren reminded his cousin.

"Yes, but that's only recently. The Ranger colonies have been attacked since last year."

"Then perhaps the command post for this...this war is not on this side," Elbren mused.

"I've put some thought into the command being at Carn Dum, not Gundabad," Elrohir took a bite of the dried meat and chewed thoughtfully.

"Then, why did you come all of the way here? Why not go straight North to Carn Dum?"

"Because you were here, and as much as I'd like to stop this war, I'm more interested in finding Elladan right now. I thought that perhaps you might know something more of his whereabouts."

Elbren looked apologetic, "I'm sorry, Elrohir, but I don't. I am guessing on this one all the way."

Elrohir shrugged, "I know that; we all are, 'Bren. The cave path to Gundabad is fast and much safer than taking the mountain trails. If we find nothing there, then we move with all speed to Carn Dum."

"That might be too late," Elbren said quietly.

"It's a hard choice," Elrohir replied.

They said little more but instead sat and watched the stars together. Finally, Elbren's watch came to a close and he went to his blankets, where Carnimiriel lay sleeping.

Or so he had thought. As he covered himself in the wool blankets and lay on his back, still wide awake and his mind full of Gundabad and Carn Dum, Miriel turned over. She, too, looked to be awake and thinking of their plight.

"Framsburg is in ruins; no signs of an orc encampment," Elbren whispered.

"I wish that we could get a clear sign of where we should be going," Carnimiriel whispered back.

"We all wish for that," Elbren sighed.

"What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking that war is being prepared, probably a strike on both the West and East sides of the Misty Mountains, with the most power being put on the Western side and aimed at Elessar's new colonies in the North. They are few in number and would fall sooner than would Thranduil's Halls, or Erebor, if whomever this is actually would strike that far East."

"Then where is the most logical place to be the stronghold of whomever is planning all of this?"

"Either Gundabad or Carn Dum," Elbren replied.

"Where do you think that Elladan is?"

"Either Gundabad or Carn Dum," Elbren repeated.

"So, we have to decide," Miriel sighed.

"Yes, and that may be determined by your friend, Vrilg."

"He is NOT my friend, Elbren," Carnimiriel scolded, "but, he may prove useful yet."

"You must draw everything out of him that you can, even at the risk of killing him," Elbren turned to look at his wife, "Elladan's life depends upon it, as does the lives of the Ranger colonists."

Miriel nodded, "I'll do what I can, you know that."

Elbren tried to smile, "Maybe one day we'll get to sit at home in Lothlorien and not have to make these sorts of decisions, eh?"

Carnimiriel's face became sad, "I do miss the children. But," she pulled her blankets up higher, "we have to play our part, and it seems that our parts usually involve these sorts of adventures."

"So it seems," Elbren agreed, closing his eyes. "I hope that I can sleep."

Carnimiriel was about to reply when she heard his breathing immediately lighten and felt his body relax beside her.

****************************

When the morning arrived, Elbren wanted to see Framsburg for himself.

"Why?" Carnimiriel asked him as she folded their blankets, "Elrohir saw it last evening."

"I feel that it will help me make up my mind," Elbren replied.

"You're not going alone?"

"No, I will take one of the Knights," he said.

"And you'll return today?"

"Yes, we will have to remain here while we wait for the orc, and I think that Aracos wishes to move our camp to another place for tonight. I will give Framsburg a quick look and then return. I just feel that I need to see it for myself," Elbren clasped his cloak and then put his sword into his sheath.

He then walked to where the others were gathered and eating a light breakfast.

"I'm going to Framsburg today to take a look around in the daylight. Who wants to accompany me?"

Tempest's eyes brightened as Elbren spoke of going to Framsburg. He must have seen the look on her face for he smiled briefly when she stood up and volunteered.

They left soon after, when the sun was still low in the sky but gently climbing over the trees. They walked in silence, the only noise being the wind tossing the leaves and an occasional snap of a twig underfoot. The sun was in their eyes when they actually came to the place where the remains of Framsburg lay. The ruined buildings and clearings were beginning to be taken over by grass and vines, but many of the structures still stood stubbornly against the passage of time. Elbren immedietly skirted the area and began examining the ground, looking in various buildings and bending to touch the places were fires had long died out.

Tempest, however, stood still at the edge of the clearing, her senses tingling with apprehension. It has abandoned, she sensed no orcs in the area. But, something else stirred her fears as she bent and gathered a handful of earth in her hand. She turned her head and gazed around at the crumbling buildings, as if pleading with them to tell her what she needed to know. She walked across the empty courtyard, always watching the surrounding trees for enemy arrows. None came, and she soon found herself near to where Elbren was standing against an old wall. She pressed her hand on the same wall and closed her eyes.

"He was here, and not long ago," she said quietly.

He looked at her questioningly and she tried to explain. "Strong evil, it leaves an imprint, like the fragrance of perfume leaves long after the object of the fragrance has gone. Perhaps you do not feel it?" she asked anxiously.

"I feel something, but I know not what it is," he answered.

She was silent for several moments. "He was angry when he was here. I feel his rage against these stones."

He looked at her sharply. "How do you know?"

"I am accoustomed to...to recognizing such things. It kept me alive in Mordor. Unfortunately, it can tell me little of the reason for his anger or why he was here." She turned and gazed up at the mountain and sighed.

"Can you sense in what direction he was going?" Elbren asked hurriedly.

She shook her head. "If I had to guess, I would say either Gundabad or Carn Dum. At least, that is where I would go."

Elbren nodded. "Yes, but which one?"

She shrugged. "Perhaps Vrilg can answer that for you," she said, though he noted a tone of bitterness behind her words.

Everyone's feelings wetre oddly mixed as they settled down to wait the day out while Elbren and Tempest scouted out Framsburg. First reports said it was... empty, the last thing anyone suspected: both a relief and a worry. They still knew nothing, and were forced to delay to make decisions.

Elemmire had been able to rest for part of the night, and was feeling better than she had for many days. She had been keeping mostly to herself, not sure yet whether she was more comfortable with others or with just her thoughts for company, but late that morning she found herself talking with Elrohir. She had lived in Rivendell for many years, but didn't know him well. Now, though, their pain gave them something in common.

"It's getting cold, isn't it."

He nodded, looked up at the sky for a moment in deep thought, then directedhis gaze squarely at her: "Now that you know the full story, where do you think we should head: Gundabad, or Carn Dum?"

The directness of the question startled Elemmire: "Well, I'm not sure. Since attacks of considerable force have been made on both sides of the mountains,..." She paused and swallowed before continuing: "They have to have a base of power that can easily control everything they're doing."

"Meaning Gundabad or Carn Dum."

Elemmire nodded, then sighed. How could they make the right decision if they knew so little? It was impossible, but they had to do it anyway: Elladan needed them to make the right decision. If they didn't, it would probably mean his life, and maybe theirs' as well. Well, she had made choices like this before, and it was too much to hope that she wouldn't have to again. But this time... this time so much was different.This time, the world was so differnt, and she didn't know-

"Are you all right?" Elrohir reached over to touch her shoulder, concern in his eyes.

Elemmire found that she had been gripping her cloak tightly about her. She forced her fingers to let go. Turning to him, she answered: "Yes; at least, I think so." Unconciously, she put a hand to her throat. Memory hit her hard for the first time, realizing that her necklace wasn't there. All she could feel was a thin line where the orc's knife had come so close to slitting her throat.

She shook her head and brushed her eyes, finding without surprise that they were damp with tears. "You know," she said, looking up: "I'm not sure yet."

Mirdain was washing his clothing alone in a spring near their encampment. As he was just finishing his shirt, the last item, the snapping of twigs some 50 or so feet in front of him alerted his keen elven hearing. Alarmed, he was able to swiftly dodge an arrow shooting out of the darkness to the ground. In moments, he was back on his feet and fired an arrow from his own bow. He did not hit anything, and sensed the his attacker had fled after the initial failure.

Mirdain went over to where he thought the attacker had been. He found his arrow stuck in a tree stump. The ground was hard due to the oncoming winter, and he couldn't see any footprints, at least not in the dark. Going back to the spot where had been when he was attacked, he found the enemy arrow. It was only then that he noticed there was a mark on his bare shoulder from where the arrow had grazed it. The fact that it didn't look to be of orc make at all trouble. This and the thought that the arrow might have been poisoned gave him reason to hurry back to camp and find Carnimiriel or Elbren. ....Or perhaps Tempest, he thought, one of them would surely know if this was poisoned or not, and where it came from.

On his way back, Mirdain ran into Idril. After giving her a brief rundown of the situation, she insisted on accompanying him.

Elbren had no clear thoughts on what course they should take: The caves to Gundabad, under Aracos's guidance? Directly to Carn Dum? What was going on in Framsburg? Who had built that bridge?

He leaned against a ruined wall and looked up at the clear, blue sky. A hawk or eagle was circling overhead, high above the ground, a rather large bird, Elbren thought. He shaded his eyes and looked with more intensity. As he did so, the bird circled lower and lower until Elbren could clearly see that it was one of the Great Eagles.

"Look!" Elbren called out to Tempest.

She looked up with alarm, but then relaxed when she saw what it was. The Eagle circled even more slowly until it finally landed just outside of the ruined walls of Framsburg. Elbren and Tempest ran out to greet it.

"Hail Elbren of Lothlorien!" The Eagle spoke with its regal voice, "Hail Lady Tempest!"

The Eagle was one that Elbren recognised: Falma, a female, the daughter of Gwaihir.

"It is good to see you," Elbren smiled, "it is good to know that the Eagles are watching this area."

"Yes, we have been for some time now," Falma replied, folding her wings neatly and turning to face the Elf and Human, "Gwaihir wonders why you have not called upon us for aid in your quest, for it is known to us."

"It is?" Elbren asked, "but, how?"

"Radagast," Falma replied simply.

"Ah," Elbren nodded, "of course."

"And where do you go now? Do you still seek the Shield?" Falma's eyes were intense upon the Elf.

"We do, but more importantly, we seek to know of its keeper has any prisoners, namely, the son of Elrond, Elladan."

"This concerns us as well," Falma replied, "we have watched Gundabad for many days now, Lord Elbren, and we have seen no sign of anything other than orcs and more orcs. It is still a place devoted exclusively to that horrid culture."

"Where do you think that the Shield is?"

"Aracos has told you of the attacks upon Elessar's settlements on the other side of the Mountains?" Elbren nodded as Falma continued, "it is Gwaihir's belief that something evil has returned to Carn Dum."

Elbren felt a chill enter his body as the Eagle said this; something in her pronouncement had a foreboding of doom.

"Something...'evil'?" Elbren dared to repeat.

"Indeed," Falma turned her head slightly as if listening, "it is our belief, and Radagast's, that something of Maiar stature has taken a stronghold in the Witch King's former kingdom."

"With the intent of..." Elbren mused.

"Taking the North before Elessar can establish Arnor again," Falma said matter-of-factly. "They may even have a Palantir and perhaps other artifacts of power. No one ever really went to Angmar and attempted to excavate what was left."

"Why do that? It had to be a hideous place," Elbren shivered.

"Why do that? Because, dear friend, it needed to be destroyed before someone else discovered it," Falma almost sounded scolding.

"It is a long journey over the mountains to Carn Dum," Elbren thought aloud, "it could be quite some time before we could arrive."

"There is a small army of Elves from Imladris currently enroute towards Carn Dum, they will join with the Rangers at Coldfells, and then march towards Carn Dum. If all goes well, they should reach Carn Dum within two weeks."

Elbren said nothing, but instead appeared to be deep in thought.

"We will carry you and your company to Carn Dum," Falma finally offered.

Elbren's eyes lit up at that, "That would help matters greatly."

"Have your folk ready by sundown tomorrow, and make sure that you have plenty of blankets and cover, we will risk a night flight so as to be as secretive as possible. Until then, be safe, Lord Elbren and Lady Tempest."

Falma then stepped away a few paces and unfolding her majestic wings, she gracefully lifted herself into the air. Within moments, she was high overhead and then suddenly departed to the South.

"Well," Elbren looked at Tempest, "thank Eru that we now have a clear course."

Tempest nodded, "Indeed."

**********************

An hour or so later, Elbren and Tempest had returned to the camp and were telling what had happened. The news of Mirdain's arrow was a bit disconcerting, so the guard was doubled and a deeper feeling of unease settled upon the camp.

Mirdain found that he couldn't sleep and so sat by the fire while the first watch stood guard and awaited his turn. Almost as an afterthought, he began making the fire change shapes and colors through the power of his crystal. Amused by this new-found game, he concentrated harder and harder to see what sort of complex things he could make the fire do.

Unbeknownst to him, Carnimiriel watched nearby and noted his activity with interest.

The following evening the Eagles arrived with more news: There was a growing army at Carn Dum, but Erestor's forces, now joined with Rangers from the Arnor settlements, were within a day's march of the fortress. Furthermore, ships from Gondor and Dol Amroth had arrived at the Havens and those armies would now be residing in Arnor and assist in its defense and rebuilding. All of this was exciting and uplifting news.

"Now," Gwaihir told the company, "your strength shall lie in secrecy. There are several ways into the fortress at Carn Dum, but there are a few that are more stealthy than others. We will remain close by to assist in your retreat. Here is a horn that was fashioned long ago. It is very high pitched; it is barely discernible by Humans, Elves, and Dwarves, but we of the Great Eagles can hear it clearly. Blow upon it when you are ready for our return. Now, climb upon us and draw your cloaks and blankets around closely; it shall be a very cold flight. We will be across the mountains ere dawn arrives and you should have time to enter the fortress before the sun reveals us to whatever enemy awaits you in that evil place."

The company all mounted a Great Eagle, wrapping themselves snugly in wool blankets and cloaks, and prepared for the night flight to Carn Dum. The Eagles had already sent word to Mirkwood and Rivendell of what they were doing, in case something went awry.

As the stars began to twinkle overhead, the Eagles lifted into the night sky and flew with great speed to the West...'

The air was very cold and Tempest shivered under her heavy cloak as the eagles took to the sky. She tried to bury herself deeper against the eagle's feathers, causing the bird to shift uncomfortably in its flight. She peeked out at the ground far below, watching the rivers that gleamed like silver snakes in the moonlight. Little else could be seen except the crooked mountains and the tips of ancient trees. Tempest closed her eyes and fell into a troubled sleep.

She did not know how long she slept, but she suddenly became alert, jerking awake and straining to see something in the darkness ahead. Yes, far below she could see the towers and knew the place without being told. "If you are caught within its walls, you and the dwarf will die. He does not want mortals, but only those of the fairer race," she found herself whispering.

Relieved to be travelling with the eagles, Elemmire allowed herself to do no more than watch the stars as the night flew by. It was cloudless, dark, and silent except for the wind rushing past her and the sound of feathers rustling. The stars were so thick that when she half-closed her eyes, the whole sky seemed alight with silver.

When false dawn came behind them, the northern Hitheaglir were rising beneath them. And, not far ahead: Carn Dum.

Idril had been quiet since having to part with her horse. She was in a particularly thoughtful time and coming to a decision on where they were going to go was not hers. So she held her tongue. She was not too keen on either choice that they were given but she was a Knight and she would go where ever Lord Elbren led. She would make sure that they recovered what they were seeking and that was the shield and Elladan. She had pledged her oath and she would keep it until death, whether that would be soon or not, no one knew.

So when she had seen the Eagle come down and speak to Elbren, she just knew they were there to help them somehow. She wasn't sure what it was that they intended but she wasn't surprised when Elbren told the Knights that they were to fly with the Eagles later that night. When they were told that they were to be flown to the halls of Carn Dum, she was glad that a decision had finally been decided. It was not an easy one to make but now that they had a direction, it would be easier for all of them. Indecision always breeds division. She would hate to see something like that happen to the Mithril Knights.

As they flew, the night air was very cold and she was glad for both the warm Mithril cloak and the wool blankets that she had brought. She had slept but only for short moments at a time. The morning would be a beautiful one with a magnificent sunrise to come later. They arrived long before the dawn did and it was still pitch black when they dismounted from the eagles. Each majestic bird shook their feathers back into place and eventually they had all taken to wing again. Elbren and the Knights stood at a secret entrance by which they were told by Gwaihir to enter Carn Dum.

They stood there quietly but all of them ready for what lay ahead of them as they started to enter the secret passages. There were surprisingly no guards to be seen and the entrance looked to be almost forgotten ... for the moment and in recent years. They were all thankful for that. But each was ready in his or her own way and some were more on edge than others. Idril stood ready near Elbren to cloak any of their advances if need be. But for the time being, she was watching and taking the point. They slowly made their way towards a cavern that, even in the blackness of this night, stood out blacker than its surroundings.

As Elbren dismounted from Gwaihir, the Great Eagle spoke ere he took to wing again:

The army of Rangers and Elves approaches, Elbren, and the dark leader of this wretched place will have his eyes turned towards them for a time. Use this to your advantage; enter and free the son of Elrond and retrieve the artifacts within. We will await your signal to return

Elbren nodded and then gathered the others together as they moved stealthily in the grey dawn towards a cavern that Gwaihir said they should use for entry to the dark fortress. At the entrance, the group hesitated.

"Well," Elbren said quietly, "here we enter into a place that I had never thought to venture. Carn Dum...who knows what we shall find. I am sure that the caverns are many and the tunnels lead to Eru knows where--"

"Not true, lad," Gimli gruffly interrupted, "the Dwarves know. Let me lead and I can get us into the main fortress."

Elbren blinked in surprise, "Why...why would the Dwarves necessarily know?"

"Have you never guessed?" Gimli grinned, gripping the hilt of his axe, "'Dum'...Khazad-dum...Carn Dum...." The Dwarf nodded towards the Knights, Rangers, and Elves, "it's long been whispered that Carn Dum and Gundabad were originally Dwarven cities, overrun by the orcs and abandoned."

"Are you saying that those whispers were true?" Elbren asked.

"I'm saying that I can get you inside the fortress, if I recall the tales correctly; it's up to you to get us out," Gimli replied and then stepped into the inky blackness of the cave.

For nearly two hours the company traversed the dark cavern, using the faint lights of Miriel and Mirdain's jewels for guidance, until they finally came to a huge iron door which looked as if it had not been opened in ages.

"Here we are," Gimli pronounced.

"Here we are....where?" Elbren asked, studying the door.

"Eastern entrance of Carn Dum," Gimli muttered.

"We should split up," this was Aracos, "your shield will not be with the son of Elrond; and I trust that you still wish to recover it as well as any prisoners?"

"If possible, yes," Elbren nodded, looking at the Knights, "I would like to recover the shield."

"Gwaihir spoke of artifacts, as in plural, there might be more here than we originally thought," said Legolas.

"I have been thinking on that myself," Elbren agreed. "Nevertheless, we have two here who can disguise us as we find our way. Miriel can use illusion and Idril can hide us completely. We should split up, as Aracos suggested, and get back here no later than sundown tonight. If we've found nothing, we can regroup and see what comes to pass when the army of Erestor wages against whatever now holds this dark place. Orodreth, you remain here and make sure that our rendezvous spot remains secure."

Legolas, Gimli, Tempest, Elemmire, and Aracos went with Carnimiriel in the illusionary disguise of orcs. Elbren, Idril, Mirdain, Elladan, and Parth went hidden behind Idril's veil...

As Carnimiriel's group winded its way through the lower levels of Carn Dum, Gimli was in the lead, and Miriel was lost in deep concentration to maintain the illusion of orcs. It was much easier if she actually had certain orcs in mind. When she had done this before in Dol Guldur during the War of the Ring, she had looked into the minds of the orcs briefly before they were killed and used this knowledge to help disguise herself and her companions, who also wore as much of the orc gear as they were able to aid the disguise.

With no orc gear and disguising such a large party, Carnimiriel was a bit nervous. She suspected that they all looked too much like Vrilg, since he was the last orc she had made contact with. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately from Elbren's point of view, the orc had not been brought to them before the eagles came to take them onward towards Carn Dum.

Tempest, having much more knowledge of orcs than Carnimiriel, must have sensed her dilemma and moved closer to Miriel, whispering in the grunt-like voice that game out in the disguise, "I can help you if you want. You can read images I send to you, can you not?"

Miriel nodded with Vrilg's ugly head. Tempest surely must have noticed that they all looked too much alike. She also could look directly into Tempest's mind and search it for such images, but she wouldn't dare do that. Only once had she looked into the mind of someone who wasn't a definite enemy, and she felt that this was intrusive and did not plan to do it again.

"Send me some mental pictures of other orcs." Carnimiriel whispered in the harsh orc voice.

Soon, Miriel was able to use the knowledge to alter some of their disguises so they did not seem to be a group comprised of six copies of the same orc.

"You lead with Gimli, since if anyone has to do some talking it should be you." Miriel turned to Tempest and growled again in Vrlig's voice. She had not altered her own disguise. Since she had spent much time looking into his mind, this was one part she was comfortable playing, to the extent that she could feel at all comfortable playing any such vile creature.

They only passed one other group of orcs on their way towards the lower levels, where the dungeons must lie. But when they reached a large metal door, it was guarded by two large trolls in whose eyes gleamed more intelligence than usual for such creatures.

Tempest said something in a foul sounding speech; the others weren't sure whether this was the Black Speech or some sort of orkish dialect, but whatever it was fortunately worked and one of the trolls unlocked the door and let them through.

"What did you say to them?" Elemmire asked once they were inside.

"I told them that he wanted to see the prisoner again." Tempest shrugged. "I don't think we will have any problem getting to him -- it is getting out that will be the problem."

The group of 'orcs' shuffled their way down a dimly lit hallway roughly carved from the rock. On either side, there were cells with barred doors, but most of these stood empty. One chamber held what appeared to be torture equipment. Miriel couldn't help but shudder as they passed it. What had they done to Elladan? And was he alive? Was he the prisoner the trolls assumed they were looking for?

Elrohir was in the other group and would not be among the first to see his brother, if they found him. Depending on what condition he was in when they found him, Carnimiriel thought that perhaps this was a good thing.

Elbren at first stayed close to Idril as she veiled their small party, giving encouragement. Mirdain remained a step behind, trying to do the same. He was uneasy about the caves himself, but not completely unused to this sort of thing. He recalled a previous adventure where he had been attacked in a dark cave on the barrow downs and had managed to successfully defend himself. With this in mind, he hoped he and the party would have the same fortune this time.

The group ascended stairwell after stairwell until coming to a small door guarded by two orcs. Or were they orcs? For they seemed much too large to be. Mirdain quickly grew restless waiting for someone else to go in or out of the door so they could pass through. Eventually the door did open, and out came a tall, dark-robed figure whose face was hidden within the shadows of a hood. Even the fearsome guards had a look of awe in their eyes as they let the mysterious person through.

After the one in the cloak had passed the party, he (or she?) paused. Mirdain was filled with such a loathing that without thinking, he quickly went for his dagger and raised it to strike. However, Elrohir grabbed his arm and checked him, and the mystery person began to move away.

Idril was glad that they had split up. Such a large group in such close confines made her nervous. And besides, it was not good to be in a cave with such a large group. Easier to be noticed. So when the suggestion to split up was made, she was all for it.

She was in the lead with Elbren beside her and Mirdain just off to her other side and a little behind Elbren. Elladan and Parth brought up the rearguard and were a little wary of what she was doing. Her hair was loose and flowing in a slight breeze that blew in the caverns that they were in. The air was dank and reeked of the creatures that had occupied it for who knew how long. But she held the 'Veil'.

They stood staring at a doorway. Suddenly when it opened, and a figure emerged, Idril could feel the intensity of their group grow. She knew that she had them invisible but their smell might be detectable, if the wind changed against their favor. She prayed that it would not suddenly do so. To see this stranger so close yet not see him/her was a bit unnerving. Then suddenly, she sensed a movement from Mirdain and a great hate. And just as quickly Elrohir was there near him, calming him down, helping him to sheath his blade. She hoped that the other in their midst did not sense this and alert others.

They quickly realized that the door was still open and moved quickly in that direction. They all just barely made it into the next area which had a Y. She slightly turned her head to hear what Elbren might say in the way of direction but for the moment there was nothing. They came to a halt. She stood and looked first right, then left. They she took a step backwards.

She whispered ever so slightly ... "Sir?" and Elbren nodded gently to the right. So they worked their way to the right down a partially dark and smelly place. There were other doorways to both the right and the left but they did not investigate any of the doors for they had huge heavy locks on them. They worked their way further and soon started to climb a wide set of stairs. They were glad to get to the end of these stairs. There were five doors total but unlike the ones before in the hallway behind them, these were all unlocked.

Now a choice was to be made and this time Elbren walked up to her and said ... "Choose" very softly. So Idril took a step forward towards the middle door of the five. She tried to sense if there was danger and did not feel anything. She walked slowly and put her hand on the doors heavy opening mechanism and she pulled. The door opened easily for something so large. Inside it looked to be filled with storage bins and had all sorts of food and water there. No one was in the medium sized room. Idril relaxed for a few minutes and let her Veil fall. She needed a break for only a few minutes. When she first discovered her 'gift', she could barely raise the 'Veil' around herself, much less a group of any size. Now she was quite good at holding it for many hours and sometimes days.

"Sir, we should not stay here long" Idril said very quietly. "Someone is sure to come for food soon and we, our scent, will stand out in here even to an untrained nose. I am fine, let's choose another room to enter." And with that she raised her 'Veil' again and out of the room they went, shutting the door behind them. Elbren led the way to the next room to the right. And they walked into another storage area. But they just took a quick, but thorough, look around and exited quickly. The last door to their right was just another storage room and rather than check it out, they just closed the door again.

Idril next walked to the far side of the room and opened the door to the next room. They had finally found something!

The air was stifling, but as the group wove its way through a few dark corridors, they noticed that the path was becoming brighter, and more and more torches had been lit. Eventually, they came to another door, where a gruff looking troll sat with his blackened feet up on a stone table. Tempest said something in the Black tongue to him, but unlike the other guards before, he snorted and said something back which seemed rather heated. Tempest replied in an icy tone, but did not back down. Finally, with another snort, the troll spat on the ground at their feet and then tossed a set of rusted keys to her. He pulled open the door he had been leaning against and motioned them to go in. They obeyed and soon found themselves in a short hallway with barred doors on either side.

They were alone, but Tempest said softly to them "Be careful what you say. Even these walls may have ears. It is best if we speak as little as possible. The troll said that "the elf" was in the room at the far end, but I suggest we examine each room, for there may be more prisoners here than we know."

They had found something indeed! The entire room throbbed and pulsated with power and energy. Familiar energy. Elven energy. Elbren was both amazed and strangely comforted by this: what WAS in this room?

Mirdain quickly closed the door behind them and Idril's Veil was dropped. A sigh of relief escaped the group as they inspected the room more closely. There were shelves of parchment and tomes; some of which Elbren saw were written in Quenya. They covered every subject from roots and herbs to swords and armor. However, after inspected several shelves, Elbren suddenly realised that the collection as a whole composed the necessary knowledge and history to teach one how to create objects of power.

Rings. Jewels. Seeing Stones. Swords. Helms.

Elbren knew this because he had a similar collection of his own; in fact, the Mithril Knight Guild House which was hidden by the southern sea had a library that was identical to what Elbren now looked at. Someone was planning on making objects of power.

Or, they already had.

"I wager that you'll find this interesting, Lord Elbren."

Elbren turned around to see a wall of the room that was lined with tables and cabinets. Many of the tables had dark cloths draped across them, with something obviously concealed beneath each cloth. As Elbren walked towards them, the energy began to throb even more fiercely.

"There's no telling what we will find," Elbren whispered. "Or how dangerous it might be."

Having said that, Elbren found that he was hesitant to remove any of the dark cloths. What if something dark and horrid lay beneath each one? Or worse, what if something fair and beautiful were revealed?

"A shield would be pretty large, I would think," Mirdain said, clearing his throat.

Elbren took the hint, "Yes, and frankly, I'm none too comfortable with ripping off these cloths and perhaps finding a room full of darkly forged artifacts. Let's look for something quite large that might be here."

"But, you WILL look under the rest, yes?"

Elbren frowned at the Ranger, Parth, who had asked the question. "To be honest, I am not sure."

A quick search found just two tables that might hold something as large as a Noldorin Shield. The first cloth was removed a breastplate was found; ornately carved runes were upon the chest and the metal was richly wrought and made.

"That's absolutely beautiful," Idril said.

"Yes, it is," Elbren agreed, "and I suspect that we may find many such objects. Whomever is now in command of Carn Dum is very interested in Elven-made objects."

The second table now remained. Elbren took a deep breath and removed the dark cloth. Before the torchlight even began to illuminate the object, Elbren knew that they had found the it; they had found the Shield of Gil-galad.

The shield sang of the Elven King with a voice so full of love and sadness that Elbren's eyes instantly moistened with emotion. He dipped his head in respectful memory as the others looked on in silence.

"This is it," Elbren finally said. He then took the shield and strapped it across his back, "We should get back to the rendezvous. The battle will begin soon."

"Aren't we going to inspect the other objects?" Parth asked again.

Elbren hesitated, "Should we?" He looked to Elrohir, Idril, and Mirdain.

"I don't want to have to come back to rescue anymore objects of power," Elrohir said flatly, "if you know what I mean."

"I do," Elbren agreed, "one visit to this place is by far and large enough."

"Beyond that, we should take them, if we can. No need to leave anything here that might give our enemy an advantage," Elrohir said as he walked to a table, removing the cloth covering.

The group gasped aloud, startling themselves with the noice and at what they saw on the table before them: A palantir.

"Is that....is that what I think it is?" Parth asked, stepping closer.

Elrohir picked up the black stone, nodding his head, "Well, if you're thinking that it's a Seeing Stone, " the son of Elrond began, staring into the blackness, "then yes, it is what you're thinking it is."

"But how? I mean....there were only seven made," Parth continued.

"Only seven, and one supposedly sunk North of here when the last king of Arnor fled from the Witch King's minions," Elbren said softly. "It has been thought by more than a few that perhaps it had been found, or, indeed, that it had never been lost in the first place, and that the Witch King had taken it."

Elrohir wrapped the stone with the dark cloth and held it within the curl of his left arm, "Definitely not leaving this here."

"Let's look at the rest then," Elbren motioned towards the tables, "and then get out of here."

Tempest and Gimli were still in the lead as their group shuffled down the hallway in the dungeons of Carn Dum. Carnimiriel and Elemmire followed behind, with Legolas and Aracos bringing up the rear.

Miriel had been quite relieved that whatever Tempest had said had gotten them this far, but she was quite apprehensive about seeing Elladan. What had they done to him?

She didn't have to wait long, because the dungeon was mostly empty, except for a couple of miserable looking dwarves she thought didn't look well enough to make it out even if they did try to rescue them.

Finally, they reached the cell at the end where a solitary figure was slumped against a wall. He raised his head as he saw them approach, and there was defiance in his eyes. Though he looked quite gaunt and dirty, the first cursory glance revealed no serious wounds. While Carnimiriel was grateful to see that it seemed he had not suffered serious physical harm, she couldn't help but wonder why. Why was he being held prisoner here and what did his captors want from him?

Tempest unlocked the door and said roughly in the Common Tongue, "Come with us."

Elladan stood slowly, saying nothing. He was manacled to the wall by one wrist they now could see. Tempest hunted through the other keys to find the right one to release him.

At this point, he began to suspect that things were not as they seemed, his eyes darting around the room and sizing them up as if getting ready for a fight.

"Elladan!" Carnimiriel used the energy of Runya to speak into his mind what she didn't dare say aloud. "We're going to get you out of here."

His head snapped up quickly as he recognized her voice, and then he looked straight at her for a long moment during which she was almost certain he saw through the orc disguise and recognized her for who she was.

Legolas and Gimli each took one of his arms and helped him from the cell. Elladan stumbled, but it seemed he could stand. Now the challenge was to get back past the troll and then somehow get out rather than taking him where they were expected to.

At least Carnimiriel thought that was the main problem, until Gimli stopped short at the cell which held the two dwarves.

"We're not going without them." He said under his breath.

Miriel sighed. She should have expected it, but what would they do now?

"Elbren!" She called to him using the connection between their wedding rings. "We have Elladan, but there are some dwarves here too. I'm not sure if we can get out without a fight, but I hope to see you back in the tunnels."

"We are on our way." Was Elbren's reply. "Please be careful."

Tempest grimaced through her disguise at the prospect of escaping with so many injured elves and dwarves. While she had always expected a confrontation in the end, she had not thought that the group would be divided, with Elbren in one part of the fortress unable to assist them. She knew that the troll at the door would make a fuss when they returned with the elf and the rest of the prisoners, but she was afraid to kill him because it would only alert the other guards.

"We need to decide what to do, before we leave this area," Tempest said quietly to the others as they stood before the heavy door that separated them from the troll.

"We will do what we must when the time comes," Miriel answered, noting the alarm on Tempest's face. She knew they were in a dangerous position, and it was unsettling to see that Tempest was uneasy. But then again, Miriel mused, Tempest had never set foot in Carn Dum before.

Taking a deep breath, they knocked twice on the door. The troll swung it open and stepped aside to let them pass. He watched them come out with the prisoners and eyed the dwarves with surprise, saying something to Tempest in a thick tongue. She answered just as darkly, but this time the troll would not relent. He stamped his heavy foot and reached out, knocking Gimli off his feet momentarily. Tempest spat at him, giving Miriel a sidelong glance that told her to ready herself for attack.

However, the troll snapped back his hand as Tempest said to him in the Black Speech, "These dwarves were supposed to be taken to the mines for work. Why was this order disobeyed? He will not be pleased!"

"I recieved no such order," the troll said gruffly, but she noticed a wavering of doubt in his eyes.

"I shall report this! All dwarves were supposed to be sent away yesterday!" All the while she said this, Tempest was moving closer to the corridor, arguing with the troll all the way. Finally, in exasperation and fear, he waved them away, complaining about "the day guard" who must have misplaced the order.

When they were out of his sight, one of the dwarves collapsed in weariness and Gimli rushed to his side. Tempest took Miriel aside and said in a whisper, "We may have to carry him, and maybe the others eventually. Their strength may not hold out. However, if we do so, our disguised will fail, for no orc would ever carry a prisoner."

What do you think we should do? I fear that we may become trapped in here ourselves and become no better off than your kinsman," she said, gesturing toward Elladan.

Idril was quite surprised at some of the artifacts that they came across in this room. She too, had felt the elven power emanating from the room and some of the artifacts. She regained her composure and looked over what was there and tried to help make the decision on what should be taken and what should be left behind. It was going to be a hard decision and time was not on their side!

The information that Elbren first voiced began a debate. How could they leave anything behind? Obviously, they couldn't carry everything out of here that they found as they were too few and there were many things here. Idril's Veil could disquise anything as long as her hair was left flowing but she needed to keep one hand empty to assure that. And considering where they were, everyone should have their sword arm available. Which meant that each of them would only be able to carry a couple small items unless they used their cloaks to somehow wrap objects in them and 'bundle' them up together. It was a thought but a dangerous one. It was quickly decided to wear out armour and carry anything else.

After the shield was revealed and the moment of silent reverence passed, Elbren strapped the Shield of Gil-Galad upon his back. A decision to look under the dark clothes revealed a palantir and that too was re-wrapped and taken. The others began to look quickly and carefully under the clothes and Idril just had to look into that jeweled chest. She wasn't sure why but once opened, she had Elbren come take a look. She wanted to know his opinion on what was inside and if she may have found something important. Inside sticking up out of many jewels, was a jeweled hilt, not unlike her own. But she was not sure of its markings and she could not bring herself to pull it out. She also had found a map of some sort. She waited for Elbren as the others uncovered artifacts and Elbren looked at each to help make the decision on taking it or leaving it behind.

A few minutes passed before Elbren walked up to her and with awe in his face stood staring at the sword that Idril had finally, with a cloth, removed from the jeweled chest. She looked from the sword to Elbren's face trying to read what he was going to say but could not. Soon the other's had their objects collected and concealed and had turned to join Idril and Elbren as they stood looking at the sword's hilt and the writing upon its blade.

Mirdain first looked through some of the old books. He had always most enjoyed reading books about the old ways. One that particularly interested him contained passages about Galadriel's ring Nenya and its making, and some similar information on other rings. Mirdain knew from what Lady Carnimiriel had told him that his crystal was most likely made from the power of Nenya and Runya. Therefore, he decided to put the book in his pack and tell Miriel and the others about it later. He wasn't sure, but he thought that perhaps with the knowledge contained in the book, a new ring could be made someday that might preserve his beloved Lorien even longer.

After storing the book, Mirdain found some sturdy Mithril-plated body armor and put in. Chances are, we won't get out of here as easily as we got in, he thought to himself. He also found a bow with a shimmering silver string, and after testing discovered that it was stronger than the one he carried. Strapping the old one to his back, he slung the new one over his shoulder.

After the exciting discovery of the shield and palantir, Mirdain decided to have one last quick look around. Leaning against the wall was what appeared to be a harp. Mirdain noticed that there was writing on one side, but it was in some form of elvish that he couldn't read. Noticing his puzzled expression, Elrohir said, let me see it. Mirdain handed it to him and after minute's careful thought, Elrohir's eyes widened. It says 'the lyre of Maglor'. Maglor was the greatest musician that ever lived. If this truly is his lyre, then what a fortunate find it is. Thinking back, Mirdain suddenly remembered something he hadn't thought about in awhile. Maglor! I remember him! I met him when I went into the mural of the First Goliath Londe for initiation.

It was at that moment that they heard Idril and Elbren gasp, and turned to look.

As Gimli, Tempest, Carnimiriel, Elemmire, Legolas, and Aracos made their way back up through the lower levels of Carn Dum, still in their orc disguises, Legolas and Aracos were dragging the two injured dwarves behind them, hoping that the weary prisoners would not become further injured by this rough treatment. But what else were they to do? Tempest was right that the orcs wouldn't carry them.

Elladan seemed to be able to walk on his own, but Miriel had to use the energy of Runya more than once to help sustain him as he stumbled. Physically, it seemed he had sustained no lasting damage, but his eyes looked so tired and strangely cold. How long had he been here and what had they done to him?

As luck would have it, Gimli found and seemed to regognize a narrow passageway that cut almost straight to the lower entrance on the east side of Carn Dum, where Orodreth was waiting for them, and hopefully, Elbren and his group. They had to go in single file and the taller members of the group had to stoop somewhat. Though the orc disguise altered their appearances so that they seemed to be no taller than the average orc, the actual height of the elves in the group would make any bump on the head painfully real! As the passageway looked deserted, Legolas and Aracos allowed the two dwarves to stand and assisted them along the corridor.

Gimli, followed by Tempest, moved along rather quickly, but Elemmire, who was next, stopped short as if listening.

"There is something up ahead." She whispered.

Gimli stopped and turned back questioningly, but it was plain that his ears had not picked up on whatever Elemmire seemed to hear.

"Orcs ahead." Elladan's voice rasped out quietly.

These were the first words he had spoken, and Carnimiriel felt a sudden sense of relief that he could speak, remembering with a shudder a dwarf prisoner in Dol Guldur who had had his tongue cut out.

They hardly dared breathe, creeping along slowly, and soon even the non-elves in the group could hear a faint clash of metal and orkish shouting.

"Elbren." Carnimiriel whispered, her heart sinking. She reached out again through the connection in their wedding rings.

Elbren! We are almost to the gate! Where are you?"

There was an agonizing moment of silence before he finally replied, "Orcs at the gate! We're almost out though! Stay put!"

Miriel wasn't sure what he meant by 'stay put' if his group was being attacked, but she hesitated to contact him again and interfere with his concentration on the battle ahead.

"Wait." She whispered to Gimli, who paused and looked at her expectantly.

Carnimiriel felt slightly nauseated as she thought of the other group ahead, each clash of weapon on weapon making her wonder if one of them were injured or dead.

"Elbereth protect him." She whispered softly. "Protect all of them."

She was just about to suggest that they go on and aid their companions in spite of what Elbren had said about staying put, but just then things got quiet ahead of them.

"Now! Quickly!" Elbren's voice was suddenly loud in her thoughts.

"Now!" She echoed, and Gimli looked mildly annoyed, but responded by moving quickly along the corridor, the others following after.

They came out into the main passage just at the gate, which was undefended, though there were orc corpses strewn about. They didn't dare stop, but rushed through the open gate and towards the forest, where Elbren and the others were waiting for them, looking worn and exhausted from the battle, though the first cursory glance revealed that they were all there and standing. At last, Carnimiriel released them from their hideous orc disguise.

"We killed all the door guards, but the noise will surely alert others inside." Elbren panted wearily. "They will be out here searching for us soon. I have summoned the eagles. Let us hope they reach us in time."

Elrohir rushed forward and embraced his brother tightly. In the moonlight, Miriel could see tears glistening on the cheeks of both twins.

At Elbren's gasp, the others turned to see what had been found. In what seemed like minutes, but was only seconds, Elbren said

'Bring this but don't use it. We have not the time to discuss it now as we must get out of here. We must move quickly! Has everyone concealed their items?

There came the answer Yes

'Good. Let's move and move quickly and quietly.'

With that they made their way out the way they had come without incidence ... until the gate.

Elbren had heard a noise just before they emerged and quickly took a look for himself while the others waited in the shadows. He came back and with hand signals, alerted them to the orc's that now guarded the gate. He signaled for each to ready themselves for battle as they emerged.

The battle was fierce and all in the small, divided party held their own well. Orodreth came out from his hiding place and joined in the battle. Elbren spoke only briefly that they should re-group with the rest of them soon and leave. And that we should watch not only for Carnimiriel's party but also for any sign of the eagles' return.

At the first sign of Carnimiriel's group emerging from the cave's, there was much joy in all heart's at both groups accomplishments - both in retrieval of prisoner's and also of artifact's.

All too soon though, another noise was heard!

Elbren was tired, but elated to see Carnimiriel, the sons of Elrond reunited, and the group together again as a whole and uninjured.

However, his elation was momentary; he wanted to get out of Carn Dum and he wanted to get out fast. The army of Rivendell would be approaching Carn Dum soon; indeed, the battle may already have ensued, but as Mithril Knights, they had another obligation: They had to get these objects of power to a place of refuge.

But, was that Rivendell? Lothlorien? Mirkwood? The Initiation House near Dol Amroth? How far would the Eagles bear them?

"What did you say?"

Elbren turned to see Miriel looking at him with concern.

"What?" He asked.

A weariness then passed over his eyes, and he knew that he personally was not up for a long journey. Lothlorien then. Yes, home. The Golden Wood. The objects would be safe there.

Shadows against the morning sun darkened the sky momentarily, and Elbren looked up to see the Great Eagles circling towards them. A collective sigh of relief emitted from the Mithril Knights and Company.

"Let's move out!" Elbren roared as the Eagles began to alight upon the narrow mountain passage.

The sounds of distant battle came upon the winds as the Eagles took to the air, and looking down, Elbren could see the armies clashing upon the fields before Carn Dum.

"May Elbereth bring victory to our people," Elbren whispered.

Hours later, the Eagles landed on the great plain before the gates of Caras Galadhon. All of the company had chosen to go to Lothlorien: they wished to explore the treasures more closely and a rest was in order, and what better place for healing than the Golden Wood?

The Galadrim came to greet the adventurers and took them all to comfortable abodes where soft beds, warm baths, and savory food awaited them all. Elbren and Carnimiriel made their way to their home in the Great Tree, both aglow with the security of being home and in the anticipation of seeing their children and Elbren's mother. The objects of power were taken to the Guild House of the Mithril Knights, guarded and kept secure until counsel could be taken upon their fate.

As the Guards at the foot of the Great Tree saluted and welcomed Elbren and Carnimiriel home, a rush of laughter and squeals of joy came from above. Moments later, the twins, Lorfindur and Rosmarien, along with Galadhon, were pouring hugs and kisses upon their parents in greeting. Peering over at his wife with tired but smiling eyes, Elbren saw the same look of contentment upon Miriel's face as she embraced her daughters.

They were home.

Mirdain took Idril to his personal hideaway in Lorien and showed her some of the artifacts that were his family's legacy. He had decided to place the books he had found here and give the harp up to the guild, being that there were others in the guild who were definately better musicians than he. Idril smiled and said she was pleased at how far the student and the mentor had come on their first great adventure together.

Together they left his home for the place where Elbren, Carnimiriel, and their family gathered, and talked for a time with all their old friends in the Mithril Knights. When Mirdain decided it was time to head back to his home, Idril and the others stayed. Mirdain didn't leave, however, without insisting that he would return soon.

As Mirdain he headed back through the woods toward his family's hideaway, he began to think of the happiness of Elbren and Carnimiriel. He also thought of plans to find a wife, and build a home for his own family.

Idril was glad to be back in LothLorien but as always, she had a somber mood that no matter what she did, she could not hide. She was less talkative and mostly walked and listened to the company that she kept. She would make a point to see her sister on the morrow. It was always good to see Elendilmir and she would hear all the news from her. She knew that a council would take place as soon as all the Knights were rested and that might be as early as the next day and as late as 3 days hence. They liked to get their business taken care of quickly and expecially with many of their families here, she was sure that the council would be called quickly. This way the other Knights could relax and enjoy themselves. She would do her best and as always, try to hide her uneasiness and sadness of her home.

She had taken Mirdain's suggestion of accompanying him to his home to not only see his collection of books, but to maybe gain a little more insight into him. It was also a good thing to sidetrack her mind early. She was caught up with the ease that he showed her and the gentleness he radiated. If only. She enjoyed his company and was glad that she had chosen to mentor him, he had come along way.

They had walked to the evening meeting together and had enjoyed themselves. Mirdain had begged off for a few moments claiming that he would return and asked Idril to wait for him. She hoped that he would return quickly as she was tiring and her thoughts were weighing her mind down, adding to the exhaustion she was beginning to feel. She grabbed a drink and walked around the edge of the crowd looking to see if he would return. She half heartedly hoped he would and would not. She smiled and nodded at several that she knew and she was asked to join many others but begged off without knowing why. She tried to concentrate on the sword she had found, thinking on it as much as she could. But it was useless, her mind kept coming back to where she was at. She walked to a mellorn tree and looked up at the sky trying not to think ... trying not to remember.

Home. What a bittersweet homecoming this was turning out to be.

If you think any harder, one might be able to hear your thoughts, Mirdain joked as he came upon Idril in the woods. She smiled hald heartedly, then turned away again. What's on your mind? he tried again. She replied, Oh I don't really know. I guess I just miss the action. I've got a lot of mixed up feelings, and I didn't have to think about them so much when we were on the road. I feel sort of weighed down. Mirdain added, feelings tend to do that. I think that might be why i'm usually so reckless, it helps me not to think about the past.

Wanting to cheer her up, he picked up the sword she had laid on the ground and offered a pretend duel. She smiled a great smile and drew her sword. For hours the clashed swords and chased each other playfully all around Lorien. When they were quite exhausted, Mirdain finally said,whoa, I'm getting worn out, maybe we'd better stop. Wasn't that fun though? Idril nodded in agreement and they decided to go their respective ways once again. Just before leaving, however, Idril gave Mirdain a kiss on the cheek left him pleasantly stunned.

Unintentionally, Idril ended up spending several days wandering around LoriŽn and the outskirts alone. She kept asking herself why she had kissed Mirdain so quickly? Was she thankful for his friendship or his trying to side track her mind? Or was there more to her feelings for him? She kept so busy that she had little time to really give it alot of thought ... until the last few days. She had gone looking for him once but found his flet empty. Then she had been sent out on some scouting missions.

She was finally able to go home and take a bath and rest up. She climbed the tree to her home and soon, she opened the door and without seeing anything there, as she always tried to do, she made her way to the kitchen to fill water for her deep tub. Once it was all hot and the tub was filled with water and soap bubbles, she opened the window and undressed, getting into the water quickly and with a sigh. She sat soaking for what seemed liked hours. She heard birds outside but that was the only noise that she heard. She let her mind wander to the sword that she had found but she couldn't stay focused on the sword. Suddenly she found herself thinking only about Mirdain.

After the encounter with Idril, Mirdain spent some time helping to build new fortifications around the Nimrodel and mainting security in the area. He remained in contact with Elbren, and frequently went out on missions to gather information concerning any possible new dangers to the free peoples. Always Idril remained on his mind though. He had had very few loves in his lifetime, and still wasn't sure if this was love. Using some of the vast knowledge contained in the books he had recovered from Carn Dum, Mirdain built a series of crystal structures that reflected light in a certain way and collectively cast an image of Idril on a stone wall near his house. Feeling it still necessary to honor all his Mithril Knight companions he made likenesses of each of their personal crests as well. This done, Mirdain did the best he could to think about normal things.

Weeks went by as Elbren tended to the affairs of Lothlorien and the Galadrim people. The relics were safely stored in the Caras Galadhon Mithril Knight Guild House, and Elbren knew that Idril and Mirdain had been inspecting them and exploring them to test what they were and what they could do.

On a sunny early spring day, Elbren sent for the two Mithril Knights to come to the Great Tree and report upon their findings. When they arrived, Elbren addressed them:

"Thank you for coming, mellyn. First, it is my intention to make you the Lord and Lady of the Mithril Knight Guild House here in Caras Galadhon. This comes with perhaps a bit more responsibility than most other Guild Houses as we now have a considerable number of ancient relics housed here. It will be your task to protect them and ensure that they do not fall into unskilled hands. Do you accept?"

Idril was surprised when a sudden unexplained summons came from Elbren for her to meet him at The Great Tree. She wondered what it would all be about? When she arrived she saw that Mirdain had also been summoned and was walking towards her. She smiled and they spoke only briefly then ascended the Great Tree together wondering why they were the only Mithril Knights that were called.

They were all glad to see each other again and shook hands with Lord Elbren. Idril blushed lightly when she took Mirdain's hand and she looked into his eye's quickly then lowered her own, blushing even more. She did not understand what was happening to her emotions suddenly when around or thinking about Mirdain. Then before she knew it, Elbren was speaking to them.

"Thank you for coming, mellyn. First, it is my intention to make you the Lord and Lady of the Mithril Knight Guild House here in Caras Galadhon. This comes with perhaps a bit more responsibility than most other Guild Houses as we now have a considerable number of ancient relics housed here. It will be your task to protect them and ensure that they do not fall into unskilled hands. Do you accept?"

Idril, with shock on her face looked first at Elbren, then at Mirdain and back to Elbren. She was not sure she had heard him correctly and why in all of Middle Earth had he chosen her?

"M'Lord Elbren ... would you repeat what you just said?" Elbren repeated this again and looked back at Idril expectantly.

"Why did you choose me?" Looking at Mirdain, "Us? What would this position entail exactly? Does this mean I, we, would not be travelling with the Mithril Knights any longer? Could you please explain in more detail?"

Mirdain sat listening with his own questions upon his mind. But listening for the answers that Elbren would give to Idril's questions' wondering many of the same things.

Elbren smiled as he gestured for the two Mithril Knights to sit down.

"Oh you will still travel when needs calls upon your duties as a Mithril Knight, and in your own personal travels, of course. What this means is that you will be responsible for the Guild House here in Caras Galadhon, and most importantly, entrusted with the task of keeping these relics safely housed within. I feel that since you two were a part of their re-discovery, and have been working with them already, and since Lothlorien is your home...well, it only seems natural to me. Of course, you do not have to accept."

Idril was quite relieved to hear Elbren saw that they would still be called upon to travel with the Mithril Knights and on their own journey's. She at first thought that they would be bound to stay within the border's of Caras Galadhon for the rest of their days. She would have done so had it been a need but it would have been a difficult decision to do so. The warrior and traveler in her would have despised being stuck in one place.

After much thought, Idril decided to accept the position that Elbren was offering. She would be happy to guard the relics and to look into more of their history and finding out how each piece could be used or of benefit to their people. And to be responsible for the Guild House here in Caras Galadhon would be a great honor. She could not imagine having such an honor bestowed upon her but she willingly accepted the challenge and the responsibility that came with it.

"I accept this honor and the responsibility that you have given me in the endeavor."

She wondered at the look on Mirdain's face and what his answer would be.